Expecting Presents

Grace Davidson brought her four-year-old granddaughter to “big church” for the very first time. The little girl sat quietly, wide-eyed, soaking it all in—the singing, the Scripture reading, the solemn moments. She behaved beautifully until the pastoral prayer. When the pastor prayed, “We thank You, Lord, for Your presence,” her eyes popped open. She tugged on her grandmother’s sleeve and whispered excitedly, “Granny, we’re gonna get presents!”

She misunderstood the word—but she may have understood more than we think. Children often expect good things. They hear “present” and think gift. Somewhere along the way, adults lose that sense of joyful expectation. We come into church burdened, distracted, even routine. We sit through worship instead of entering it. Yet Scripture says every good and perfect gift comes from our Father above. His presence is not a wrapped box with a bow—but it is better. It is peace. It is conviction. It is comfort. It is strength.

Psalm 16:11 declares, “In thy presence is fulness of joy.” When we gather with God’s people, we are not attending an event—we are entering into His presence. And whenever God’s presence is welcomed, something is given. Sometimes it is correction. Sometimes encouragement. Sometimes renewed hope. But there is always a gift.

Perhaps we need a childlike expectation again. Not coming to critique, not coming out of habit, but coming believing God will meet with us.