Introduction

The prophet Micah asks, "What does God really want from us? What should we offer to God?" I wonder, what gifts should we give to God this Christmas?

Micah 6:6-8 says, "With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Gifts of Justice

Micah wonders what he should bring to the Lord. At first, he considers offering burnt offerings and young calves. But then he realizes that God doesn't want material possessions. Instead, God desires three things: for us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

During this season of giving, we often focus on giving gifts to one another. But what if we made a commitment to spend just as much time and effort in making a gift for Jesus? What if we wrapped up the gifts of justice, mercy, and humility and presented them to our Lord?

Firstly, there is a lack of justice in our world. Unfairness seems to be everywhere. The rich get richer while the poor get poorer. The wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. It's hard to understand what justice truly means. But what if we, as God's people, promised to be fair with one another? What if we pledged to act justly in our business dealings, to be honest and not cheat others? What if we promised to treat people of different races with fairness and respect, refusing to gossip or argue with them? Imagine the impact if God's people committed to being just.

Gifts of Mercy

Secondly, kindness is in short supply. Many people are unkind, causing others to feel rejected and hurt. We've all experienced unkindness at some point. But what if we made a covenant to love mercy? What if we chose to be patient and kind, treating others with compassion and understanding? Just as Jesus showed kindness to the lepers and the woman at the well, we can extend kindness to those around us. Let's be known for our acts of mercy and love.

Gifts of Humility

Lastly, humility is often overlooked in our world. We are impressed by power, wealth, and status. But Jesus came into this world humbly, without material possessions or worldly acclaim. He rode on a donkey, not a grand stallion. He showed us the importance of walking humbly with God. So let's resist the temptation to seek recognition and instead embrace humility. Let's prioritize our relationship with God above all else.

Conclusion

These three gifts - justice, mercy, and humility - don't require money or talent. They are gifts that everyone can give. So let's wrap them up and present them to Jesus this Christmas. It may just be the best Christmas we've ever had.

In conclusion, Micah reminds us of what God truly desires from us. As we celebrate this season of giving, let's not forget to give to God as well. Let's offer Him the gifts of justice, mercy, and humility. By doing so, we can make a meaningful impact on the world around us and experience a truly blessed Christmas.

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