A couple of years back, my grandparents went to the annual village Christmas party. Similar to other Christmas parties these days, gifts are given through a game. Each person brings a $10 gift, names are drawn, people go pick a gift as they are announced, others can steal or take a new one, and so it goes until everyone has something. At this particular party, my grandpa received one of the funniest gifts I had ever heard. Now, many people during these gatherings like to get creative or funny with gag gifts. But this one was on its own level of creative. He opened his “gift” to find a package of batteries. It’s not the flashiest gift, but they sure are handy. And for some reason it seems like you can never find one when you need it, am I right? Now for the funny part. On the batteries was a note that said “Gift not Included.” The tables had been turned.

The reason this really got to me, not just because it was funny, was because it reminded me of the gift we have in Jesus. He is, after all, what this giving season is all about. Fortunately for us, He came as the whole package, batteries not necessary. Many gifts these days come without the batteries, in which case they are no good. Likewise, the batteries are no good without something to put them in. God, however, gave us everything we needed through His son.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (NIV)