Open your hearts and receive God's forgiveness
"Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
- Acts 10:43 (TLB)
Christmas is a time when we reach a little deeper into our hearts to give to others, but there is also the special part of receiving.
I had the pleasure of growing up in a home where my mother showed a labor of love, extending homemade cookies, candies or fudge to friends and family. Then, she would invite someone to share a meal of turkey, ham, potatoes and pies with us. It was fun to partake in the giving and see the joy it brought to the recipients.
My siblings and I would get into the act, emptying our piggy banks of precious nickels, dimes and pennies to buy a gift for mom or dad, or aunts and uncles we adored.
But the other side of the fun was waiting with anticipation for the day of celebration to arrive, when we'd get to enjoy the opposite side of giving, which is receiving.
Oh, the joy of Christmas morning, when we'd awake long before the alarm went off. Our whole household was excited to open the gifts waiting under the tree.
It was like a race to see who could open their gifts the fastest. There's nothing like watching an excited child open their gifts. We didn't care so much about carefully removing ribbons and bows. We just tore through the festive paper to see the mystery waiting inside.
On the first Christmas morning, there were shouts of joy as well. God's gift of a Savior for our sins was finally available to everyone who would believe in Jesus' sacrifice and receive it. Many had been longing for this gift of salvation for a long time, and God finally satisfied their desire that first Christmas Day.
We can still receive God's greatest gift today. It doesn't matter how great our sin, we can receive the joy of forgiveness. All we have to do is open our hearts and enjoy the blessing of receiving.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. Invite her to speak at your group or event. She is hosting a "Writing for Fun or Profit" conference in February, 2019. Register for details and to reserve your spot. Annettee can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.