Have you ever “re-gifted” 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 these jewels 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. The note 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 re-gifted my re-gift (good manners on his part) … but I have thought a lot about re-gifting since then and I’ve come to the conclusion that re-gifting isn’t so bad if the gift you’ve been given is worth re-giving.
When I think of Christmas and “love” 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.”
Today, on December 24 … Christmas Eve, I want to remind us of our obligation to re-gift the Greatest Gift ever given, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. He is worth re-gifting. There is no better gift, EVER!
As you go through the next couple of 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 “re-gifting” 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!
Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.
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