‘Tis the season to return Christmas gifts! I’ve heard that within the first month of 2026, almost 60% of shoppers plan to return or exchange gifts they have received. Clothing tops the list as the most returned/exchanged gift.

Armed with receipts, gift tags, and specific return policies, millions of shoppers will exchange a sweater that’s the wrong size for one that fits and a duplicate kitchen gadget for something truly needed. Easily done in most cases, but then in other instances, shoppers must navigate a maze of policies.

Time limits, conditions of the item, and restocking fees are just a few of these policies. Most retailers enforce a strict window, typically 30-90 days, for exchanges or refunds. If you miss the deadline, you are likely stuck with the item. Gifts must often be unworn, unused, and with original tags attached to qualify for a full refund. And finally, some items may incur a charge (restocking fee) just for bringing them back.

These policies reveal something about the human dynamic of gift-giving. Even the most generous earthly gifts are impermanent, subject to change, or return. We return items because human needs and preferences can be fleeting.

This seasonal cycle of giving and taking back provides a powerful contrast to the nature of God’s gift of eternal life. Here is how God’s gift starkly differs from the retail experience:

1. No Time Limits, No Deadlines

Unlike a 30-day return policy, God’s gift has no expiration date. The promise of eternal life is exactly that – eternal. No looming deadline exists to accept it before the offer is rescinded. It is a one-time, permanent transaction sealed by faith, not subject to the calendar.

2. Condition: Accepted As Is

Retailers demand items be in “new condition” for a return. God’s gift, however, is given to us despite our condition. It does not require us to clean ourselves up, meet a certain standard of perfection, or attach any “original tags” of worthiness. It is offered freely, with grace, to all who choose to accept it.

3. No Restocking Fees or Revocation

Perhaps the most significant difference is the concept of security. Once a gift is returned to a store, the transaction is reversed. Once God’s gift of eternal life is received, the transaction is final. Scripture provides powerful assurance that the gift is irrevocable. There are no “restocking fees” for our mistakes, no fine print that allows the Giver to take the gift back. The security of this salvation is absolute.

The holiday shopping season reminds us that even gifts given with love can still end up back on a store shelf. In contrast, the gift of eternal life is a gift not tied to human whim or retail regulations, but secured by a divine promise that knows no returns department. This assurance provides peace and security, knowing that some gifts are truly forever.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. – Romans 11:29