There is one Christmas that stands out to me during my childhood. When you are a kid, Christmas is a much anticipated event and usually needs no hype to get one excited. However, this particular Christmas for me possessed an even greater sense of expectation. My Dad had been telling me for several weeks that he had a special gift for me. I couldn’t wait for Christmas day to come. In typical Christmas tradition at the Miller home, we opened first all the gifts under the tree. The special gifts were always hidden somewhere safe from curious young boys. As soon as we got done opening the gifts under the tree, my Dad told me to close my eyes as he escorted me outside. As we were standing in our driveway, he told me to open my eyes to see this gift I had been anxiously waiting for. To my utter disappointment it was an basketball goal. I remember saying to my Dad, “Why did you get me a basketball goal? I will never use it.”
To make a long story short, I attended Florida State University on a basketball scholarship. Countless hours of my life were spent on that basketball goal perfecting my shot. I’m sure the sound of a bouncing basketball drove my neighbors crazy. Just as I do now preparing for sermons, I spent most of my practice time shooting at night. As my Father, my Dad made a personal unexpected investment in my life that paid huge dividends. He saw a talent in me that I had not yet discovered. His $125.00 gift paid for a degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration. It also paid for room and board during my college years. His investment did two things. First, it launched me into part of my destiny. And secondly, it gained a huge return.
God’s investment into our lives should produce the same two things. It should launch us into our destiny and it should produce a great return. Apostle Paul was a benefactor of the unexpected investment God made into his life through Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” Notice how God changed his life and how he became an example for others to follow. It’s hard to comprehend the amount of people that were impacted by Apostle Paul. What a return on an investment!
Here is a great Christmas story about a couple who demonstrates the gratitude they have for the investment Christ made in them. Richard and Donna Hamann found a way to make their entire town happy. Anthon, Iowa, a community of 650 people, received an unexpected Christmas present from this retired farming couple.
The Hamanns paid the electric bill for every home and business in the town of Anthon. The bills, all due on Christmas day, totaled $25,000. Everyone appreciated the surprising and generous gift, and they expressed it with a stack of thank-you cards and letters.The only question anyone had was: Why?
Richard answered it this way: "The Lord has been very good to us, and so have the people of this community, so I always thought we ought to be doing something in return if we could."
Christmas reminds us that Jesus Christ has unexpectedly done so much for us. Let's make the most of this investment, and in return, live to bring glory to God. Merry Christmas!
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