“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7 NIV
Christmas as a kid is magical. When I was a kid, one of my favorite things about Christmas was waking up in the morning, with all of the excitement and giddiness of knowing that Santa had at some point come down our chimney and left gifts for me.
If you did the Santa thing growing up, you probably remember what it was like to start to question if Santa was real. Before I was old enough to start to question if my parents were Santa, I remember intentionally not writing in my letter to Santa about a specific gift I wanted.
Instead, I found it and circled it in the American Girl Doll magazine (discreet, I know). Knowing Santa wouldn’t get a chance to see what I wanted in the magazine, I didn’t expect to receive that gift that Christmas.
I remember the feeling of opening up the exact gift I wanted on Christmas morning. How did he know?!
If you’ve heard of the five love languages, one of my top love languages is gifts. I love giving and receiving gifts especially when they’re unexpected. To me, one of the ways I feel the most loved is when someone sees something, thinks of me, or knows me well enough to know exactly what to give me. Receiving gifts makes me feel known and loved.
When I give a gift, I find the most joy in finding the perfect gift for someone that wasn't something they specifically asked for. I love the feeling of someone opening something and feeling known by me when I give them exactly what they wanted or needed, without them ever hinting at it.
Have you ever received a gift and just felt so known by it?
That’s how I felt that Christmas when somehow, Santa magically knew exactly what to put under the tree. Of course, later I realized that was simply because he was my parents and they had an eye on what I was hoping for.
As we remember and celebrate the gift God gave us this season, I hope you feel especially known and loved. God gave us His Son.
He gave us eternal life and He continues to give generously to us, because we’re His kids. We don’t deserve it, we don’t have to earn it, we just get to roll out of bed and be delighted by the surprise of the perfect gift.
The greatest gifts often remind us that we are seen and we are known.
I hope that as you hear messages about Christmas over the next month, you find joy and delight in the perfect gift that God had prepared for you at the very beginning.
In the same way you might feel surprised by a gift that is exactly what you wanted, I hope that delight washes over you again as you encounter a God who calls you His.
I hope it hits you in a new and unexpected way. I hope you’re reminded that God sent His Son for you.
The God of the universe calls us His kids and invites us into a conversational relationship with Him where we have full access to Him because He chose to give us Himself. That gift definitely makes me feel seen and known.
Journaling Prompts:
-How do you feel when someone gives a gift that is perfect for you?
-Can you imagine how surprising God sending His Son to earth was?
-Write about what having full access to God looks like in your daily life.
Action Step:
Think of someone in your life who might not feel seen/known. How could you show them they are seen and known by you, and reflect the love of Christ to them? Maybe it’s sending a brief message sharing that you notice something special about them, or maybe it’s sending a small gift that reminds you of them.
Prayer:
Father, Thank you for seeing and knowing us. Thank you for sending us this good and perfect gift of your Son. Help us to remember the significance of this gift throughout this season. Let it wash over us in a new way, and allow us to walk in the truth that we are your sons and daughters, heirs to the inheritance you have so generously given. Amen.
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