THE DAY THE GIFT WAS GIVEN

I remember a year when my dad painstakingly reconstructed bicycles for me and my sister.   Somehow I knew he was collecting parts BEFORE the magical day arrived, and even as a young girl I felt the anticipation build.   But I could never have imagined the true joy of that gift before THE DAY came.  I rode that pink bicycle complete with streamers on the handlebars, wind in my face and I rode with all the joy I could ever imagine.   Even now as I am reminded of that Christmas long ago (for me, it is long ago), I feel the wind in my face and I see the pride on my dad’s face as his gift was received, embraced and loved.

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  2 Timothy 1:9-10

This Grace was given to us in Christ Jesus BEFORE the beginning of time.   Phenomenal!   It is like presents have been under the tree and when THE day came, VOILA!  The revelation of all that lay beneath the wrapping. All throughout history God has been giving glimpses of His grace that would help us appreciate THE Gift when the day came for revelation. 

God gave us the grace of Jesus Christ long before we even knew, and oh the joy I am still bathed in as I remember my own Day of Revelation.   The day I was fully aware that Grace had entered my life forever – not because of anything I had done or will ever do – but because He has a purpose and He is full of grace and truth.   I unwrapped that gift as an eight-year-old and I remember being gripped with anticipation just as I remember waking each Christmas morning before my parents were up, wondering if it was ok for me to tear into the wrapping.  I recall the moment when I released my grip on the pew in front of me and stole down that aisle of that little country church into a revelation that changed my life forever.

Long before I was born; long before any of us was born, before the beginning of time this grace was given, and this is the grace we celebrated every year at Christmas.  

 In the beginning was The Word.  The Word was with God, and The Word was God . . . . The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His Glory, Glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1,2,14)   

Full of grace, Holy Savior
Full of grace and truth
May our hearts be filled with wonder
Of Your great, good news
May we bask in all Your splendor
And embrace the gift You bring
Gift of hope, gift of mercy
Gift of Grace, we crown You King

May the God of all grace fill our hearts and homes.   May many more be awakened to the revelation that came to earth over 2000 years ago wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Sue McCary Sargis
December 10, 2013