Not too long ago, I went to see a movie with my family.  While standing in line to get a snack, I scanned the large monitors describing the special deals.  As the person at the register took our order, she said, "For 50 cents more, you can upgrade your drink to a 44 ounce or for just $1 more, you can make those both larges."  We gratefully declined.   As we continued to order, she said, "For $1.50 more, you can make that popcorn a large and get a free candy with that purchase."  Though humored by her persistence, we still declined.  With one last attempt while swiping our movie membership card she said, "Would you like to upgrade that other drink to a large for just 50 cents more?"  We again declined.  Chuckling on the way to grab some napkins, I turned to my daughter and said sarcastically, "For just 50 cents more, would you like to upgrade your 'good' day and make it a 'great' day?" to which she wittingly responded, "And for just $1 more you can make it a 'fabulous' day!"

As we entered the theater I said: "You can sit in this row..."  "Or, for just 50 cents more, you can sit in this row!"  my daughter retorted.  As we chose our row, the banter continued... "You can sit there, or, for just $1 more, you can sit in between your mom and I!"

Reflecting on our "up-selling" experience has resulted in much gratitude for what Paul described as an "Indescribable gift."  As we journey through Advent, I invite you to join me in celebrating the richness of all that we have been given in Christ Jesus.

I am so grateful God doesn't up-sell us.  Through Christ Jesus, all of God was given for all of us.  Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer."  In Romans 8, Paul describes God's heart saying, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

The Message paraphrases Romans 8 saying, "If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?"

Isn't that great news?  There is no "For another 50 cents..." or "For just $1 more..." with God!

All the fullness of the Godhead - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - dwells in Christ.  And, in Christ, we too, are filled with the same fullness - lacking no good thing.  We are made complete - not "For another 50 cents" and not "For just $1 more" - but because of God's lavish and demonstrative love expressed in the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 9:15).  "Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough!"

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