February 2009
Too Many Presents?

Rarely will a child complain about receiving too many gifts at Christmas, but little
Johnny was! The day had begun with Johnny and others opening presents.

The day had begun with Johnny and others opening presents. What a sight! There were toys and clothing scattered all over the room. Most of the clothing that came to Johnny as a gift was still in the box or container in which it came. But the toys…? The toys were all over the room in various stages of use and disarray.

As Johnny opened the gift from grandma, looking with wide eyes expecting another toy, a look of disappointment at receiving a hand knitted sweater quickly filled his face.

Mom came to the rescue and said: “Johnny isn’t that wonderful? Thank Grandma now.” Recovering from his disappointment Johnny quickly replaced the frown on his face with a smile.

Now it was time to clean up and Mom had asked Johnny to pick up his presents and take them to his room. Looking over the “mess” that he had created Johnny, now tired, said with a little whine in his voice, “I got too many presents.”

What about you? Did you get too many presents from God this year? He calls you, His child, through the waters of Baptism; calls you to repentance as the law of God is revealed to you, and feeds you food that not only lasts during this life, but will be given to you forever.

Consider for a moment what God gives to you in the work of creation. He gives you all that you need to support your body and life; He defends you from all danger and guards and protects you from all evil. All because of His great love for you!

In the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed, God gives the gift of His Son, who comes to take your place under the law, and on the cross. He becomes a sinner for sinners that you the sinner might become a “Son of God”.

In the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed you discover that the gifts of God just keep coming. The Holy Spirit calls you to faith, enlightens you with God’s gifts, forgives your sins daily within the holy Church of God, thus making you “God’s Holy Child”—and the Holy Spirit keeps you in faith through the Gifts that are given through Word and Sacraments!

These Gifts of God are given freely to you without a price that you must pay, but they are not cheap. These gifts cost the very life of God’s only begotten Son.

So what of you, dear Baptized Child of God? Did you get too many presents this year? Your God earnestly invites you to continue in His Word, to remain as His disciple, to continue to receive His gifts, and to delight in His mercy and Grace. Divine Service, where God delivers His gifts begins at 9:00 AM each Lord’s day. Come and receive what He gives to you!

Pastor Froh