POSTAL
BLESSING

Topics: Advent; Atonement; Christmas; Cross; Gift of Righteousness; Jesus Christ; Justification; Pardon; Reconciliation; Redemption; Salvation

References: Isaiah 53:3–5; John 3:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 John 2:2; 4:9–10; Revelation 5:9

Just prior to Christmas, I went to the post office. After helping me, the pleasant postal clerk uttered what is surely her standard line: “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

I quipped, “Can you help me pay for Christmas?”

Without missing a beat, she replied, “He has already paid for it.”

I was stunned. Pleased, surprised, a tad embarrassed, but most of all, stunned. I murmured something profound in response—like, “He certainly did”—and left.

A simple phrase had put everything in perspective.

—Pete Winn, “Citizen Link Update” (December 24, 2003)