With so many new toys and gadgets available, it's so hard for parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents to choose the perfect gifts for the young ones in their lives.
When a confused aunt wrote to evangelist Billy Graham asking him his thoughts about gifting a Bible to her teenage nephews this Christmas, he was all for the idea.
"I can't think of a better gift to give your teenaged nephews, and I hope you'll seriously consider doing it," he wrote in his column for the Bowling Green Daily News. "Hopefully they won't be disappointed – but even if they are, eventually they'll be very grateful for your gift and find it of far greater value than something that's exciting today but forgotten tomorrow."
Graham said he cannot think of anything more valuable to give to someone than God's Word. He even said that teenagers are going to face enormous pressures and temptations that could harm and destroy them, so it will be great if they come equipped with God's wisdom and instruction from the Bible.
As for making major decisions about the future, Graham said the Bible will serve as a handy tool because it contains sound guidance from God.
"Seek out a modern translation they'll be able to understand; your local Christian bookseller can help you," he suggested. "In addition, if you can afford it, get copies that are sturdy and will last. Some booksellers can imprint your nephews' names on the covers, which would make them special."
Graham told the letter writer that before giving the gifts, she should tell her nephews why the Bible is so important to her. That way, they'll learn from example and understand how to use the Bible as part of their everyday lives.
"Remember: God didn't give us the Bible to just sit on a shelf; He gave it to us to change our lives. And it will, as we read it and pray over it and allow its truths to sink deeply into our hearts and minds and wills," he said.
