Transforming Gifts: The Power of Gratitude and Service

 

Summary

Gratitude is a transformative practice that can deeply enrich our lives. Today, I want to explore the concept of gift-giving and how it relates to gratitude. As we prepare for the holiday season, we often find ourselves wrapping gifts. But why do we wrap gifts? Margaret Visser, in her book "The Gift of Thanks," suggests that wrapping a gift transforms it from a mere commodity into something more meaningful—a true gift. When we wrap a present, we create beauty and surprise, turning a simple transaction into an expression of goodwill and love.

The act of wrapping a gift is symbolic of the deeper dynamics of gratitude. When we receive a gift, especially one that surprises us, our sense of gratitude deepens. This surprise element is crucial because it opens our hearts to wonder and appreciation. My wife, Nancy, has a tradition of purring like a kitten when she picks up a wrapped gift, embodying the joy and anticipation that comes with the unknown.

This idea of surprise and transformation is mirrored in the greatest gift of all—God's gift of His Son. The angels announced to the shepherds that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, a humble yet profound presentation of God's love. Jesus, the ultimate gift, came wrapped in humility and servitude, teaching us to make our lives a gift to others. He demonstrated this by washing His disciples' feet, wrapping Himself in a towel, and serving them.

As we reflect on these ideas, we are invited to consider how we can make our lives a gift to those around us. Whether it's through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of love, we can wrap our actions in thoughtfulness and care. By doing so, we not only enrich the lives of others but also cultivate a heart of gratitude within ourselves.

Key Takeaways:

- The Transformation of a Commodity into a Gift: Wrapping a gift turns it from a mere commodity into a meaningful expression of love and goodwill. This act of transformation is a powerful reminder of how we can infuse our daily interactions with intentionality and care. [03:20]

- The Power of Surprise in Gratitude: The element of surprise in receiving a gift enhances our sense of gratitude. By maintaining a childlike openness to the unexpected, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the blessings in our lives. [04:55]

- God's Gift Wrapped in Humility: Jesus, the ultimate gift, came wrapped in humility, teaching us the value of servitude and selflessness. His life exemplifies how we can make our lives a gift to others through acts of love and service. [08:52]

- Making Everyday Moments a Gift: Simple gestures, like walking someone to their car, can transform ordinary moments into meaningful gifts. By being attentive to the needs and desires of those around us, we can create a culture of gratitude and generosity. [09:56]

- The Final Gift of Sacrifice: Jesus' life and death were the ultimate gifts, wrapped in love and sacrifice. His example challenges us to consider how we can give of ourselves to others, even in the most challenging circumstances. [10:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - Introduction to Gratitude Challenge
- [01:18] - Thanksgiving Eve Announcement
- [01:46] - The Purpose of Wrapping Gifts
- [02:16] - Transforming Commodities into Gifts
- [03:20] - Creating Beauty and Surprise
- [04:09] - The Dynamics of Gratitude
- [05:08] - The Joy of Surprise
- [06:17] - Embracing Childlike Wonder
- [07:24] - God's Greatest Gift
- [08:07] - Humility in Gift-Giving
- [08:52] - Serving Others as a Gift
- [09:43] - Making Life a Gift
- [10:11] - The Final Gift of Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Transformative Power of Gratitude

Bible Reading:

1. Luke 2:12 (NIV) - "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
2. John 13:4-5 (NIV) - "So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes as mentioned in Luke 2:12? How does this relate to the concept of gift-giving? [07:37]

2. In John 13:4-5, why did Jesus choose to wrap a towel around his waist before washing the disciples' feet? What does this act symbolize? [08:37]

3. According to the sermon, how does the act of wrapping a gift transform it from a commodity into a meaningful expression of love? [03:20]

4. What role does surprise play in deepening our sense of gratitude, as illustrated by Nancy's tradition of purring at wrapped gifts? [04:24]

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the humble presentation of Jesus in swaddling clothes reflect God's approach to gift-giving and what does it teach us about humility? [07:54]

2. In what ways does Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet serve as a model for making our lives a gift to others? How can this be applied in everyday life? [08:52]

3. The sermon suggests that wrapping a gift adds an element of surprise and beauty. How can this concept be applied to our interactions and relationships with others? [03:20]

4. How does maintaining a childlike openness to surprise and wonder enhance our gratitude, and what are some practical ways to cultivate this mindset? [06:54]

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent gift you received that surprised you. How did it affect your sense of gratitude, and how can you incorporate this element of surprise into your own gift-giving? [04:55]

2. Jesus demonstrated servitude by washing his disciples' feet. Identify a specific way you can serve someone in your life this week, wrapping your actions in thoughtfulness and care. [08:52]

3. Consider a routine interaction you have, such as greeting a coworker or saying goodbye to a friend. How can you transform this ordinary moment into a meaningful gift? [09:56]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of humility in gift-giving. How can you practice humility in your relationships, and what impact might this have on those around you? [08:07]

5. Think of a time when you were not open to surprise or wonder. What steps can you take to cultivate a more open and grateful heart in similar situations in the future? [06:54]

6. How can you make your life a gift to others in your community, and what specific actions can you take to demonstrate this commitment? [09:43]

7. Reflect on the ultimate gift of Jesus' life and sacrifice. How does this example challenge you to give of yourself to others, even in difficult circumstances? [10:11]

Devotional

Day 1: The Art of Transforming the Ordinary
When we wrap a gift, we elevate it from a simple commodity to a meaningful expression of love and goodwill. This act of transformation is a powerful reminder of how we can infuse our daily interactions with intentionality and care. By taking the time to wrap a gift, we create beauty and surprise, turning a simple transaction into an expression of goodwill and love. This practice encourages us to approach our daily lives with the same intentionality, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for connection and gratitude. [03:20]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a mundane task you do regularly. How can you transform it into an act of love and intentionality today?


Day 2: Embracing the Unexpected
The element of surprise in receiving a gift enhances our sense of gratitude. By maintaining a childlike openness to the unexpected, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the blessings in our lives. This openness allows us to experience wonder and joy, much like a child does when receiving a gift. It invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, recognizing the beauty and blessings that surround us each day. [04:55]

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one unexpected blessing you have received recently? How can you express gratitude for it today?


Day 3: Humility Wrapped in Love
Jesus, the ultimate gift, came wrapped in humility, teaching us the value of servitude and selflessness. His life exemplifies how we can make our lives a gift to others through acts of love and service. By following His example, we learn to prioritize the needs of others, offering our time and resources as a reflection of God's love. This humility challenges us to serve without seeking recognition, finding joy in the act of giving itself. [08:52]

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you do so with humility and love?


Day 4: The Gift of Everyday Moments
Simple gestures, like walking someone to their car, can transform ordinary moments into meaningful gifts. By being attentive to the needs and desires of those around us, we can create a culture of gratitude and generosity. These small acts of kindness remind us that we have the power to impact others positively, turning everyday interactions into opportunities for connection and love. [09:56]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small act of kindness you can perform today to show someone they are valued and appreciated?


Day 5: Sacrifice as the Ultimate Gift
Jesus' life and death were the ultimate gifts, wrapped in love and sacrifice. His example challenges us to consider how we can give of ourselves to others, even in the most challenging circumstances. This call to sacrifice invites us to reflect on what we are willing to give up for the sake of others, recognizing that true love often requires selflessness and surrender. [10:11]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice sacrificial love this week? How can you offer this gift to someone in need?

Quotes


Margaret Visser has been a terrific book on gratitude called The Gift of thanks and she talks about precisely this issue and she says the reason that we wrap a gift a present is that we want to turn it from a commodity into a gift if I go to a store and buy a shirt and there's no particular special occasion for it and it's just for me myself to wear I do not wrap it up and then give it to myself and say what could this be oh my gosh it's just I give the clerk money the clerk gives me the shirt it's a transaction it's a commodity normally when we purchase stuff it's that way however sometimes we want to give somebody a gift and so the reason that we put wrapping paper around it is that we want to create some beauty. [00:02:07]

The reason that we wrap a present is to make it a gift to change it from a commodity to a gift, interestingly if people make something and send it to you often they don't feel the need to wrap it Margaret rice we have friends that among other things keep bees and so they make honey and we will sometimes get honey from them but they don't usually wrap it because when someone makes it you know that it was intended for you as a gift very often when we give somebody a gift we will also attach a card to it and we will put their name on it and maybe write some words because a gift comes from a giver and in order for it to be a true gift it has to express my good will towards you my desire to enrich enhance your life. [00:03:15]

We wrap gifts up because then it will be a surprise and one important Dynamic of gratitude is the more surprised we are when a gift comes into our lives the deeper our sense of gratitude. I don't know where it got started but when we exchanged gifts with each other as a family Nancy when she picks up a gift wrapped present will always purr like a kitten as though she thinks there is a kitten in the Box she has done that for 40 years and she laughs every time she accuses me of dad humor but she has been purring at presents for 40 years and thinks it is as hilarious as ever there's something about us that when we are surprised when something takes us off guard a bit of Wonder comes into it. [00:04:09]

There is something about not expecting about having the mind of a child about being open to surprise, there was a very powerful movie several years ago Philomena and it was about a woman who had lost her child had to put her child was forced to up for adoption when she was quite a young woman and she's trying to track him down now and she goes to search with a journalist and the journalist is quite bright but jaded and and kind of cynical and she is very simple-minded very good-hearted she loves kind of cheesy romance novels and she reads them and will tell him about him and the plot's always more or less the same there was a prince and he was engaged to marry a haughty princess and there was a humble seamstress making all their clothes and she loved them but she knew he was far above her but when the day of the wedding came it turns out he didn't love the beautiful hottie princess he loved the seamstress and then she would say I didn't see that coming. [00:05:26]

When we approach our life with a sense of openness and we remembered the mere fact that the sun came up yesterday does not make it any less wonderful that it came up again today, the mere fact that I woke up yesterday doesn't make it any less wonderful that I woke up again today, how can I have a sense of wonder and Marvel at it and so we want our gifts to be surprises for people at their best so we wrap our presence to turn a commodity into a gift. [00:06:51]

And of course the great Giver of gifts is our God who so loved the world that he gave his only son and we are told in words that would become quite famous that the Angels said to the Shepherds and this will be assigned to you you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, God came gift wrapped but was a commodity became a gift and by the way you don't get swaddling clothes at Neiman Marcus there were something that would be wrapped around a child born into an impoverished family there are no designer swaddling clothes and when God came he came wrapped up like that. [00:07:28]

It was interesting I was looking it up just getting ready to share this thought with you this notion of why we rap to make gifts and uh that word wrapped is used about Jesus on on three different occasions in scripture it's used again when he was going to wash the feet of his disciples right before he died and it says in the Gospel of John that he took out his outer garments and he wrapped a towel around his waist he wrapped himself in the Garb of a servant because if you want to make your life a gift for people then you just simply look for what needs to be done and you go ahead and do it and in that moment they needed their feet to be washed and so he said I will do that and then he said now what I have done for you you do for others make your life a gift to them just look for what needs to be done and then go ahead and do it. [00:08:17]

When you look at the lives of the people around you today, how can you make your life a gift how can you gift wrap it when you go to work when you're at home how can you notice what it is that would Delight people what it is that people need, I have one friend I was always struck by this when I would go to visit him he would never simply say goodbye to me he would always walk me out to his car I mean not to my car this is such a simple thing but it was making that moment of farewell into a gift. [00:09:34]

And of course our God does that as well the last thing that we read about Jesus after he died is that we're told that he this is told in all four gospels they've taken down from the cross and they wrap his body in Linens in burial Linens God gives his life. [00:10:08]

The act of wrapping a gift is symbolic of the deeper dynamics of gratitude. When we receive a gift, especially one that surprises us, our sense of gratitude deepens. This surprise element is crucial because it opens our hearts to wonder and appreciation. My wife, Nancy, has a tradition of purring like a kitten when she picks up a wrapped gift, embodying the joy and anticipation that comes with the unknown. [00:04:55]

As we reflect on these ideas, we are invited to consider how we can make our lives a gift to those around us. Whether it's through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of love, we can wrap our actions in thoughtfulness and care. By doing so, we not only enrich the lives of others but also cultivate a heart of gratitude within ourselves. [00:09:43]

Simple gestures, like walking someone to their car, can transform ordinary moments into meaningful gifts. By being attentive to the needs and desires of those around us, we can create a culture of gratitude and generosity. [00:09:56]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?