By Pastor Don Schatz

For Now

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud Link

“…and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” 
Romans 3:24. (2016). English Standard Version

I doubt that anyone reading this has a Christmas tree that still looks neat and tidy with gifts brightly wrapped, waiting to be opened.  Perhaps if you are a citizen of the British Commonwealth!  That is where Boxing Day had its origins.  On December 26, servants, tradespeople and the poor were presented gifts.  They had to wait a day.

Our “spiritual Christmas” tree looks like a hurricane of 8-year-olds who just blew through the house.  And not just on Christmas Day.  Nor the day after.  There is no need for a “Spiritual Boxing Day.”  God gifted us with salvation long ago in Jesus.  As a result, every day is Christmas!  We never get to Boxing Day!

Jesus does not call us ‘servants.’  He calls us friends.  And he gifts us every day with love, hope, forgiveness, salvation and life.  I hope you are unwrapping those daily gifts.  Do not let a day go by when you leave them unopened.  Every morning, they are there in your life–packaged in the beautiful wrappings of the Gospel; waiting for your smile and gleeful Christmas spirit to open the treasures within.

Jesus isn’t done there.  Have you ever had a picture taken outdoors, and the photographer didn’t notice that you look like you have a tree growing out of your head?  Jesus makes you a Christmas tree in the lives of others.  You carry those gifts of love, hope, forgiveness, salvation and life in your heart and soul.  People can discover them in and through you.  So, maybe we are both Christmas trees and Boxing Day trees!  Every day, offering the gift and gifts of Jesus.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado