The Christmas season is upon us and thus begins the daunting quest for the perfect gifts to bless the ones we love. If you’re anything like me, some of your loved ones are easier to shop for than others.
My kids—light work.
My wife—slightly more challenging, but she’s at least pretty good about dropping hints along the way.
Here’s the real challenge: what do you give to the person who has everything? No matter what you choose, they probably already have it—and in a better version than you can afford.
Funny enough, sometimes I feel that same way with GOD. What do you give to the GOD who has everything? What could possibly impress HIM? And, furthermore, what could we possibly give that would be proportionate to HIS glory and value?
So glad you asked!
The Christmas story gives us the answer. Let’s see what these iconic characters bring to GOD as HE gives them the greatest gift ever given.
GIVE GOD YOUR YES
Can you imagine how different the Christmas story would have been if Mary, Joseph, or the shepherds had said “No”? Mary’s “yes” didn’t come with full understanding, but it did come with full surrender. Joseph’s “yes” cost him his comfort and reputation. The shepherds’ “yes” pulled them away from safety and routine.
Here’s some fantastic news: GOD isn’t looking for perfect people; HE’s looking for willing ones. Following Jesus isn’t always spectacular or mystical—but it will require a life full of faithfulness, and a path that’s paved with one yes at a time. I find it interesting that you can’t spell yesterday without “yes.” In other words, our “yesterdays” are made of whatever we said “yes” to. Consequently, our tomorrows are too!
What if 2026 was a “year of yes” in our relationship with GOD? How could that change things? Your yes may seem small, but it opens the door for GOD to do something big, maybe even something that impacts generations – just like Joseph and Mary.
GIVE GOD YOUR BEST
The Magi didn’t take a weekend road trip—they traveled for months and months through deserts and mountains to reach the savior that they were searching for. They gave GOD their best.
And their best wasn’t limited to their legendary gifts that we know so well. No, before they offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they bowed in worship.
Then came their treasures. Not their leftovers. No “re-gifts” allowed. It was their absolute best. They brought Jesus what was in their hands, and their hearts. That’s true worship, and Jesus is absolutely worth it.
What would it look like if each of us pursued Jesus with Magi-level intensity?
GIVE GOD YOUR WORST
Here’s the part we often miss. GOD doesn’t just want your best—HE wants your worst. Your sin, your shame, your mess—the parts of us that we’d rather hide.
It reminds me of our family’s white elephant gift exchange. We do one every year, and it can get pretty crazy. Sometimes you bring something awesome and walk away with a bottle of windshield washer fluid. Sometimes you bring something ridiculous and end up with a holiday treasure. You just never know what could happen.
With GOD, the exchange is even better:
We bring HIM our brokenness, and HE makes us whole.
We bring HIM our weariness, and HE gives us rest.
We give HIM our sin, and HE gives us HIS righteousness.
The prophet Isaiah says it so well, “beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for heaviness.” Talk about the ultimate gift exchange!
We don’t have to clean ourselves up first. GOD isn’t asking for perfection; HE’s simply asking for us. Sometimes giving HIM our worst is the most beautiful act of worship—because in that exchange, HE turns our ashes into beauty, our weakness into strength, and our mess into something miraculous.
Each of us gets to participate in the greatest gift exchange of all time. We give GOD everything we’re not, HE gives us everything HE is.
Most importantly, HE offers the greatest gift the world has ever seen—Jesus.
Now, HE invites us to respond. This Christmas season, bring GOD your yes, your best, even your worst—and watch HIM work in ways you could never imagine.
