We're just a few days from Christmas now and no doubt many last-minute presents are being

purchased and shipped and wrapped as we speak and promised you're multitasking gifts as

you listen to this podcast.

Of course, this is the biggest holiday in the states, at least forgiving and receiving

gifts, and I just read that the average American shopper will drop a thousand bucks on gifts

this Christmas season, which is incredible.

And of course, you can send your gifts to Pastor John to me at 2112 Broadway Street.

Don't send us any gifts.

Your audience is our gift.

But seriously, this leads to a question especially valuable now and it's from a podcast

listener named James.

Pastor John, hello and thank you for the podcast.

I often hear that we are to love God for who He is, not for what He does for us, to

love the giver more than the gifts.

How can we know that we're doing this, especially during Advent and the Christmas season?

When I examine my own heart so much of what I know about God seems to be in relation

to what He has done for me, like in the sending of His Son in the Incarnation.

How do I interact with Him on the basis of Him and not simply on the basis of the gifts

He has given to me?

Well, first, I think it is absolutely crucial in pursuing that interaction with God in that

way to get really clear in our mind and in our heart that there is a huge and important

difference between enjoying a person who gives gifts and enjoying the gifts instead of

...