A CHRISTMAS DEVOTION

Jan Menconi

            As a child growing up in Minnesota, every year I looked forward to our church’s Christmas program put on by the children.  For someone like me, who likes to be up front performing, it was always exciting to be assigned a solo part. It was as good as performing on Broadway in New York City.  All my extended family would be there and my grandparents and my parents would be watching enthusiastically. 

            One year, I was asked to recite a sweet little poem and I still remember it today.
                        What can I give Him as poor as I am?
                        If I were a shepherd I’d give Him a lamb.
                        If I were a Wiseman I would do my part,
                        But what can I give Him?
                        I’ll give Him my heart.

            Those words, as simple as they are, represent the truth of the Gospel and the message of Christmas.  Jesus was born in a manger and became a man to bear the sins of all mankind.  He was obedient to death on the cross.  He came to earth to live and to die so that we can live eternally.  At that first Christmas the Shepherds and the Wise men worshipped Jesus by giving Him praise and gifts. 

            As an adult how do I respond to that important question, “What can I give Him?”  The answer remains the same. He wants my heart, all of it.   

​            Lord, as the wise men and shepherds worshiped you with their whole heart, I pray that I would be reminded that I should do no less.

                        For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 
                        ​For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.   - John 3:16,17