I don't know what to say...

     It's Christmas Eve.  I thought I'd share a couple of thoughts with you that I plan to talk about tomorrow morning in our worship service.
     Christmas is wonderful.  We very much enjoy each other's generosity as well as that of many of our friends and extended family.   Gift giving is fun as we have the opportunity to share things with each other and watch their reaction while they open the gift.   Most of the time, a simple "thank you" will suffice for what we receive.   People give to us for the joy of giving and because they love us. They expect no thanks, they just want to express themselves to us.   Other times, people are so generous that it takes us by surprise.   Did you ever receive a gift from someone and your immediate reaction was something along the lines of "I don't know what to say?"
      We have talked often throughout this season about God's gift to us in the person of Jesus, but I spent a bit of time meditating on Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:15 this week. "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"
      Inexpressible: no words to adequately relay what we're thinking or feeling.  I'm glad Paul found it difficult too.   This gift from God was a person.   This gift from God was the promised Messiah.   This gift from God would die, paying for our sins; would be buried; and would rise again on the third day victorious over sin and death.   When I simply accepted the gift, I received all the benefits that go along with it: the forgiveness of my sin; hope for the future after I die and purpose for living now.
      I have received lots of gifts over the years. While some of them were pretty amazing, none was truly beyond description.   When I try to express all that Jesus means to me, I am left speechless.   I guess that's why the Bible uses the world "inexpressible."
      I'm glad God was so incredibly generous.  I trust you'll enjoy a wonderful day of celebration tomorrow.  Merry Christmas.

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