Tuesday 31 January 2023
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. (v. 17)
Background
Oh that elusive perfect gift! I have often been in the position of trawling the shops to find just the thing as a significant birthday of a loved one approached. The stress and worry that accompanied those searches remain a strong and lasting memory. However, when the present is given and the unwrapping results in a grateful outpouring of thanks, all is well.
We have the perfect example of a gift meeting need and resulting in thanks and praise in God’s gift of Jesus, which we celebrated once again just a few weeks ago. Jesus is the 'one size fits all' example of the gift that keeps on giving. He is the epitome of the perfect gift of which James writes here in his letter.
The gift of love and hope, light and justice, inspiration and challenge are all contained in the man who was God inside. Jesus is the perfect gift "coming down from the Father of lights" who was and is light for the world. Our part is to share the gift with those who wait for love, hope and light, as well as justice in their lives.
Jesus truly is the perfect gift. The gift is ours to give and to share only because someone, somewhere once shared that very gift with us.
Listen
‘Go peaceful’ by Paul Field
To Ponder:
- Give thanks for those who share gifts with you, the perfect gifts of love, time and hope.
- Remember those who told you about Jesus and helped you towards faith in him.
- Consider whom you might be able to bless today with your gifts of love, time and hope.
Prayer
Ever-giving God, help us to open our lives and hearts to your perfect gift of Jesus moment by moment. In so doing so we may be blessed to be a blessing. Amen.