Do you remember any of the gifts you received as a child, for Christmas or your birthday or for any reason? I remember one Christmas, I had gotten many presents under our tree. When they were all unwrapped I had a nice pile of new toys. But I only remember one of them now: a Play-Doh Fun Factory. (It turns out they still make them.)

I really wanted that gift and had been asking for it. I was so excited to get it. I played with it all day, every day for weeks.

But eventually all my Play-Doh dried up, little plastic parts were lost or cracked, and I lost interest. I moved on to other things.

In fact, I can’t think of any gift I received that lasted too long. Things break, wear out, dry up, fade, or become obsolete. Even non-material gifts like trips to Disneyland are used, enjoyed, but eventually forgotten. Memberships expire. Subscriptions fail to be renewed. Our best human gifts are temporary.

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭38,‬ ‭CSB)

God’s gifts are not temporary. They don’t fade or wear out. They won’t become obsolete or expire. God’s gift of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation is forever. His gift of the Holy Spirit is permanent, dynamic, and never loses value. God has given me eternal life. In response, I want to spend every day saying thank you.

Dear God, thank you for your marvelous, much-needed, and eternal gifts. Thank you for filling me with your Spirit now and for giving me life with you for all eternity. Thank you!