Everyone who asks receives

New Testament Challenge – Day 29

Luke 8-16

Christmas is just around the corner and by now millions of children have finished their Christmas wish lists – whether to Santa, Saint Nicholas or just mom and dad. The next 12 days will be filled with great expectations and a bit of fear (especially for those who misbehaved a bit this year) waiting to see what gifts are under the Christmas Tree this year. The hope of a “good Christmas” resounds around every turn. Even the news is reporting whether this has been “a good Christmas” or not – in terms of shopping of course.

But with all this talk about gifts and the constant struggle to maintain the “true meaning of Christmas” we often forget what gifts are best. Wii games, new laptops, and any number of techno-gadgets tops the list of most children. What does our Lord have to say about gifts?

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! – Luke 11.9-13

In the next few days while you’re out shopping this year remember just how much God loves you. With all the fuss about the economy and GDP and interest rates, take a moment and walk inside a Church (maybe even taking a break during your shopping) to light a candle, venerate the Holy Icons (if you’re in an Orthodox Church) and listen for the voice of God. He loves you more than you know how to love.

Plan to be in Church for Christmas to celebrate His glorious birth! “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11.28)