Regifting: Caught in the Act

Have you ever “regifted” a Christmas gift? I have… and I have to tell you it wasn’t a good experience for me.

As a Kids Minister I was always getting “token” Christmas gifts. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated EVERY MUG I ever got… but there were just so many… (You’re laughing right now because you know exactly what I’m talking about). After three or four years the collection had gotten out of control and I decided to use them as door prizes for my annual Kids Ministry leadership appreciation party. I put some “fresh” candy in the mugs, wrapped them in red and green cellophane and proudly issued them to teachers and leaders as they left my party.

The next Sunday morning I walked in my office to find one of the mugs I had distributed sitting in the center of my desk with a note underneath that read, “Bill, I thought you might want this mug back since it has your name on it. Thanks for the candy though!” Oh the embarrassment.

I never did figure out who regifted my regift (good manners on his part)… but I have thought a lot about regifting since then and I’ve come to the conclusion that regifting isn’t so bad if the gift you’ve been given is worth regiving.

When I think of Christmas my mind immediately goes to what many call the most loved Bible verse of all, John 3:16, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

This year I want to be reminded of our obligation to “regift” the Greatest Gift ever given, Jesus Christ the Savior of the world. He is worth regifting. There is no better gift, EVER!

As you go through the next couple days of celebrating, don’t forget to share what God has done for you. Take the time to acknowledge that Gift and be intentional about “regifting” with your family, friends, and those who pass your way. Be careful about the mugs, but be really free with the Savior. There are folks out there who really need that gift this year!

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.