The Lodestar

On Christmas, everyone is busy choosing presents for their loved ones and eagerly anticipating receiving them.

Our expectations regarding receiving depend on our perception of the person who may give us a Christmas gift. We may not have high hopes of receiving anything exciting from a tight-fisted person. Some people may be very loving and liberal in their giving, but may not know how to choose a present.

God is altogether different when it comes to giving. Everything we have is from God: our life, health, and wealth; we have nothing of our own. Whatever we have earned through our efforts and means has made us regret our choices. However, those who believe God is the giver and that all they have is from God have reason to rejoice.

James describes God as the “father of lights” as the one who created light as the first act of creation to defeat the darkness that had enveloped the Earth: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness” (Gen 1:3—4). After brightening the stage, he created all we see on Earth in six days.

The Father God, who lit up the face of the Earth, also does so in human lives. We can only expect good things from him—perfect gifts. The Bible understands the word “good” as something that serves the purpose for which it is made. Despite the cost and its appearance, a gift is worthless if we cannot find a use for it. However, whatever God gives us is good because he knows our needs. Moreover, God’s gifts are all perfect, meaning nothing can be better than them.

Considering all that we have come from God is an elating experience because, though we do not know how to figure it out, we trust that, since it is from God, it is good and perfect. When God leads us through diverse life experiences, we must accept them all, knowing that they are from God and that the “father of lights” never brings gloom.

This Christmas, pause to reflect on the greatest gift you’ve ever received—life itself, light, and every blessing from God, the Father of lights. Trust that every gift from Him is perfect and good, even when it doesn’t look like what you expected. Embrace His gifts with gratitude and faith, and share His light and goodness with others. Let’s celebrate by trusting God’s perfect provision and shining His light in the world today!

(To receive these devotionals daily on WhatsApp, click here.)