Bradford Baptist Church

It’s the thought that counts…

Can you recall having to be taught this lesson back when you were young? Or possibly you have children of your own and as you have watched your child open a particularly ‘unusual’ gift you realized you should have reiterated this concept simply by seeing the expression on their face. It’s the thought that counts…

I can even remember needing to remind myself of this when I received a gift a little while back. Now, I knew it was a nice gift but I also knew it would most likely find a permanent resting place in my garage. Each time I look at it now I must remind myself, it’s the thought that counts…

Then there is that particular (read ‘unusual’) relative who has the great ability to remind us of this axiom annually. For us growing up it was the relative who gave my teenaged sister a new frilly apron every year. It would join the collection of the other unused frilly aprons. (Please take under advisement if giving frilly aprons!)

Then again it is not easy to find that perfect gift. And really, let’s be honest, how many of us can remember everything that everyone gave us last year? For those of us who can’t even remember where our keys are right now, remembering even one gift may prove challenging. We know certain people did give us gifts but at this point it really does come down to the fact that, it is the thought that counts…

As we look at the true meaning of Christmas, as we think about the supreme giver of gifts and as we consider the greatest of all gifts we must also understand the thought behind it. God had planned to give us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for a long time. He looked forward to it with great anticipation. He had been thinking about it for a long time. The thought that really counts in this gift is how much God loves us. Here is what the Bible says;

“Long before God laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” Ephesians 1:4-6 (The Message)

It is my hope that this Christmas you will take time to consider the greatest of all gifts and the magnificent thought behind it.