This December I’ve found myself reading Luke 1 and 2 and the book of Colossians. As I read them again this morning, I was reminded of the gifts God has given us. So much could be written about the ultimate gift we’ve been given through His son and what all that means, but today two things caught my attention. I hope they’re a gift to you this Christmas season.

1. A secret gift for all people for of life and hope:

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. (Colossians 1:27 NLT)

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27 ESV)

2. The gift of qualification and enablement/competence for a work He has called you to do.

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NLT)

Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, ⁶who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 RSV)

As I think about these gift, I’m left asking myself some questions. Have I received these gifts? How am I using these gifts? Are they being used to their fullest potential? How am I helping others believe and receive these gifts?

What do you think? What do these gifts and questions mean to you? I’d love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas! I’m taking some time off and I’ll be back in January.