It’s the season for giving! AI tells me that the average American family spends $800-$1000 each year on Christmas gifts, and as a country we are expected to surpass $1 trillion in total holiday sales this year. Wow! I guess you could say we’re really good gift-givers!

It’s always nice when someone puts thought and effort into buying or making something just for you. But I think there’s even more joy in giving. When you find the perfect gift for someone and see their happiness when they open it, it’s a great feeling.

It makes me think about the joy God must have felt when He gave us the very first Christmas gift, the most important gift ever given. A gift that saves lives for eternity. 

And it leads me to ponder, What gift could I give to God this Christmas? Is there anything I have to offer HIM? Shouldn’t I want to give as well as receive, especially in return for such an incredible gift??

In Psalm 116, the psalmist contemplates this very question. After considering God’s graciousness, compassion, and protection, he asks, ““What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?”  (12)

Is there anything we little humans could give the Creator of the world?

The psalmist decides what he will do. “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people…Truly I am your servant, Lord…I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.” (13-17)

This is the picture of a life devoted to God. Receiving with thankfulness the salvation we have been given. Calling on God’s name and believing in Him rather than turning to ways of the world. Vowing to unashamedly obey Him in all areas of life. Being willing to serve Him at all costs, no matter what He puts before us. And sacrificing our needs and wants out of gratitude for what He has done.

This is hard to do! But giving takes effort. God has given so incredibly to us. We can and should be gift-givers to Him, too!