Loving grandparents gave their three-year-old grandson a sturdy black and red four-by-four toy truck for Christmas.

Squatted on his knees on the floor, the little lad tore off the wrapping,

then picked up the truck, and went to a cupboard where old toys were kept.

He loaded into his truck wee plastic cows and horses.

He was so gratified with his gift, that for the rest of the day, he parted with it only at mealtime. It was in his hands when he went upstairs to bed.

His grandparents, who are my brother and sister-in-law,

watched with pleasure. They had chosen “the perfect gift.”

Like the loving grandparents, our heavenly Father offers us the perfect gift.

In Matthew’s gospel we read that Jesus said, “If you then, who are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13 ESV)!

God offers us his own Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s very best gift for us.

Yet we, unlike the three-year-old, sometimes fear to receive what we can have. Why? Should we be afraid?

Can it be that we sometimes fear because we by-pass the fact that, even though we are not perfect, God loves us perfectly and wants the best for us?

Yet, when we remember God’s perfect love, we can, with utmost assurance, accept–or even ask for–his perfect gift, his Spirit, the same Spirit who is also the Spirit of his Son, Jesus.

Then, having God’s Spirit, we can expansively enjoy God’s whole kingdom with all its amenities!

“Fear not, little flock,” said Jesus, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure

to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your perfect gift, your Spirit, the Spirit of your loving Son, Jesus, the Spirit who keeps adding for us one gift upon another in divine relationship in your kingdom. Please enable us to share the pleasure, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Isabel Allison Roland, Manitoba, Canada