I am sure you have heard the phrase, “The gift that keeps on giving.” The phrase first appeared as a marketing slogan for the phonograph in 1924. It was later trademarked in 1927. The meaning of the phrase is that the benefits of a particular gift will keep on increasing with time.
I have received many gifts over the years. I remember receiving a BB gun one year for Christmas. I was about ten-years-old and delighted in taking my new gift into the woods near our house on serious hunting expeditions. All went well until my friend, David Betzer, accidentally pulled the barrel off the gun. At that moment, the gift of the BB gun stopped giving.
Some gifts are broken. Others are lost. Some wear out. Others lose their usefulness.
But there are gifts that last. They not only last, these gifts just keep on giving over the years. I think of my parents who gave me the gift of a loving childhood in a Christian home. You cannot put a price tag on that! I am also thankful for the gift of grandparents who instilled the things of God in my young life. My maternal grandfather made a special impact in me in that regard.
On July 21, 1984, God gave me one of the greatest gifts of all - the gift of my wife, Sheri. With our marriage God also brought into my life the gift of Sheri’s parents, Ken and Bonita. As time went by God gave to Sheri and I the gift of three wonderful children, Nicholas, Paul David, and Tori. We now have the gift of two lovely daughters-in-law, Jamie and Emily. We are so thankful for the gift of two fine grandsons, Mason and Levi. And as I write this article, we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our first granddaughter, Lyric.
For nearly thirty-three years God has given me the gift of serving in full-time ministry. Almost one-third of that time has been spent serving at River of Life. What a gift it has been to pastor some of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the privilege to know!
When you stop and think about it, our lives are full of gifts that keep on giving. The greatest of these, of course, is the gift of Jesus Himself. Christmas is the celebration of the ultimate Gift that keeps on giving. For all eternity God’s Gift will continue to give as we experience everlasting life and the endless blessings of heaven that are ours because of Jesus.
So while you are thanking everyone for the many gifts you will receive this Christmas, be sure to say thanks to your Heavenly Father for the most amazing gift of all — Jesus, the Gift that keeps on giving.
Pastor Todd Weston
I have received many gifts over the years. I remember receiving a BB gun one year for Christmas. I was about ten-years-old and delighted in taking my new gift into the woods near our house on serious hunting expeditions. All went well until my friend, David Betzer, accidentally pulled the barrel off the gun. At that moment, the gift of the BB gun stopped giving.
Some gifts are broken. Others are lost. Some wear out. Others lose their usefulness.
But there are gifts that last. They not only last, these gifts just keep on giving over the years. I think of my parents who gave me the gift of a loving childhood in a Christian home. You cannot put a price tag on that! I am also thankful for the gift of grandparents who instilled the things of God in my young life. My maternal grandfather made a special impact in me in that regard.
On July 21, 1984, God gave me one of the greatest gifts of all - the gift of my wife, Sheri. With our marriage God also brought into my life the gift of Sheri’s parents, Ken and Bonita. As time went by God gave to Sheri and I the gift of three wonderful children, Nicholas, Paul David, and Tori. We now have the gift of two lovely daughters-in-law, Jamie and Emily. We are so thankful for the gift of two fine grandsons, Mason and Levi. And as I write this article, we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our first granddaughter, Lyric.
For nearly thirty-three years God has given me the gift of serving in full-time ministry. Almost one-third of that time has been spent serving at River of Life. What a gift it has been to pastor some of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the privilege to know!
When you stop and think about it, our lives are full of gifts that keep on giving. The greatest of these, of course, is the gift of Jesus Himself. Christmas is the celebration of the ultimate Gift that keeps on giving. For all eternity God’s Gift will continue to give as we experience everlasting life and the endless blessings of heaven that are ours because of Jesus.
So while you are thanking everyone for the many gifts you will receive this Christmas, be sure to say thanks to your Heavenly Father for the most amazing gift of all — Jesus, the Gift that keeps on giving.
Pastor Todd Weston