Look What Is Under the Tree: Day 1

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he pre-destined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace which he has freely given us in the one He loves.

Ephesians 1:3-6

For a child, Christmas is a wondrous time--with most of the wonders wrapped and waiting under the Christmas tree.

 As if it were yesterday, I remember those last days before Christmas from my childhood. The tree, decorated and sparkling with lights, stood in its traditional corner. Underneath were gifts in all shapes and sizes wrapped and ready to be opened. I knew some of them would be practical; but others would delightful surprises. I would make frequent detours past the living room to catch a glimpse of that scene just to assure myself that it was all real.

The gifts in the book of Ephesians are very much like that stack of holiday gifts: some are for a good and useful purpose and some are marvelous surprises. But there isn’t a lump of coal in the lot. No matter who you are or what you are facing in your life, Ephesians is just about the best detour you can take when you need to remind yourself of your riches in Jesus Christ.

The only thing we need to remember is that in the Father and through Christ, every spiritual blessing already has our name on it. We have no need to ask for them any more than we would ask for permission to receive our gifts under the tree. Through faith, we only have to unwrap them and make them ours.

Nancy Shirah