Regifting This Christmas? Anything Jesus Might Want?

Are you a regifter?  Have you ever been on the receiving end of a regift?

If you don’t know what a “regifter” is, here is one definition, and I’ll take a stab at it, too. Imagine that some friend/family member/coworker has a birthday/wedding/Christmas coming up, and you need to get them a present. Then you remember that tucked back in the depths of your closet, you have a birthday/wedding/anniversary/Christmas gift that you once received.  It is something thing that you just don’t want – but didn’t have the heart to get rid of it. It is still in the original package…waiting. Now is your chance! Wrap it up, and give it to someone else. Problem solved! That is re-gifting. Some people hate it, some swear by it.

At Christmas time, we talk a lot about gift-giving, and about the Savior. Both are appropriate. Every year, we are poignantly reminded that Christ, Himself, is the first and best Christmas gift of all.

But what about Jesus? He has given so much to us, what could we possibly give to Him for Christmas? That’s where regifting comes in. I believe that Jesus welcomes regifting.

Here’s why:

Has someone ever given something you don’t want?
• Pain
• Sadness
• Offense
Jesus wants you to regift those things to Him. He will gladly take them off your hands.

Has life given you things you don’t want anymore?
• Burdens
• Sickness
• Misery
Christ will gladly accept those as well.

Have you given yourself things that you would rather not keep around?
• Sin
• Guilt
• Anger
• Regret
Jesus wants those, too.

Do you have things stashed away in the corners of your heart that you have always wanted to get rid of?
• Unresolved sin
• Grudges
• Unkind feelings
The Savior would love for us to unload those things. He wants us to regift all the sorrows, the pain, the misery, the sins- to Him. He is eager and willing to take them from us – if we will just give Him the chance. He has repeatedly offered, and He stands there before us, waiting for us to lay our burdens at His feet.

What does Jesus want for Christmas? All the crud we really want to get rid of – the stuff that weighs down our lives and holds us back.

This year, let’s take those things that we really don’t want, and regift them to the Savior – because that’s what He wants for Christmas.

  Here are some scriptures and quotes to support the idea that Christ welcomes our regifting this Christmas, or at any time of the year:

“The Lord is the ultimate caregiver. We must surrender ourselves to the Lord. In doing so, we give up whatever is causing our pain and turn everything over to Him. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee” (Ps. 55:22). “And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son” (Alma 33:23).  Robert D. Hales, “Healing Body and Soul.”   Cast thy burden upon the Lord , and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  (Psalms 55:22)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Surely he hath borne our griefs , and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (Isaiah 53:4)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; (D&C 19:16)

Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. Do you understand the consummate cleansing power of the Atonement made by the Son of God, our Savior, our Redeemer? He said, “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.”  In that supernal act of love, the Savior paid the penalties for our sins so that we might not have to pay.  Boyd K. Packer, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel.”

   And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions andtemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  (Alma 7:11)

(Originally published December, 2014)