A Gift So Generous That There Are No Words to Describe It
Second Corinthians 9:15 summarizes the message of Christmas. The New International Version translates it, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” It’s interesting to read other translations and paraphrases:
“Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!” (KJV)
“Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!” (The Message)
“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (NLT)
“Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!” (Amplified Version)
The fact that our Heavenly Father would allow His only begotten Son to be crucified on a cross to make atonement for our sin and secure our eternal salvation is beyond our full human understanding. God’s love is truly indescribable. Jesus described it this way: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
The third stanza of the classic hymn The Love of God expresses the impossibility of describing God’s love:
“Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.”
While we can’t find words to express our thanks for God’s incredible gift, we can search for ways to express our gratitude to Him. Don’t allow Christmas to be reduced to Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And don’t stop with the favorite gift you received or brag about your delicious holiday meal.
Take time to read the Christmas story to your family. Attend a Christmas Eve worship service at your church. Pray with fervor and give generously to someone in need. Since God has given extravagantly to us, let’s in turn find ways to give extravagantly to others in the name of Christ.
A friend of our family, Susan Toadvine, shared that last Christmas her Bible study group decided that instead of exchanging gifts, they would each donate $100 to a common cause. With ten people in the group, they collected $1,000. They went to lunch together and decided to give their server a generous Christmas gift.
After their meal at Cracker Barrel, they handed their waitress a $1,000 tip and explained, “We’re a Christian group and just wanted to remind you of God’s gift of Jesus to all of us. Merry Christmas!”
The waitress was overwhelmed and burst into tears. “I’ve been having such a struggle recently. Life has been really hard, and I almost didn’t come to work this morning because I was so depressed. Now I’m so glad I did!”
Christmas is a season for giving. Since God gave so extravagantly to us, it is a wonderful time to give extravagantly to those in need. Here’s another favorite verse for the Christmas season: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
Merry Christmas to all from Bob and Judy Russell
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus!
