HE LOOKS LIKE HIS DAD

Everyone has an opinion about who the newborn baby looks like.  My mom was classic at this.  “Oh, he has his mother’s eyes, his dad’s nose and his grandmother’s chin.”  “If you look upside down and squint your eyes, he looks exactly like Jason.”  I don’t get it.  To me they all look different.  This baby looks more like a young Saint Nick than eight pound ten ounce baby Jesus.

What would it mean to be a “chip off the old block” when it comes to being made in the image of God?  What characteristics stand out in God the Father that show up in Jesus the Son? For that matter, what would make us most resemble God?  Certainly the character of Jesus or fruit of the Spirit comes to mind.  I believe generosity is the defining trait we humans inherit from our Father in heaven.

We are never more like God than when we give.

God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son . . .  (John 3:16)

Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to GIVE his life . . . (Mark 10:45)

Like Father, like Son.

Our call to be generous is always rooted in the family resemblance.  God is a lover and a giver.  It is his nature. So it is ours.  That’s why we love giving gifts to our children at Christmas.  We resemble DAD. (Mt. 7:11)  It’s why Jesus said it’s more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)  Because the giver is most like God!  It feels good to be “the spitting image” of God. (What does that expression even mean?)

You were made in the image of a generous God.  So go for it.  Give gifts joyfully and without guilt.  Donate to your favorite causes in honor of your Father.  Put the happiness of others ahead of yourself.  It’s how your Family rolls.  Ask baby Jesus and baby Santa!

Have I mentioned you can give to Mountain View HERE?