Grace upon Gift upon Grace

by Vicki Kemper | published on Jan 5, 2026

Discussion Questions 

  1. Read John 1:1-18. If you have a copy of the First Nations Version (FNV), read the Gospel passage in that version. Then read the devotional below, “Grace upon Gift upon Grace.” 
  1. What gifts of holy grace have been showered upon you during this Christmas season? 
  1. What gifts of holy kindness have you shared? 
  1. As the season of Christmas ends with Epiphany tomorrow (January 6), how do you intend to continue celebrating and expressing gratitude for God’s unending grace? 

Devotional 

From the fullness of his being we have all had many gifts of kindness poured out on us. – John 1:16 (FNV) 

Maybe you’re familiar with another translation of this verse, the one that says poetically, “From Christ’s fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (in the NRSV among other translations). I love the phrase “grace upon grace” and its connotation of good things we don’t deserve being forever piled high atop the good, underserved things we have already received. 

I also love the more engaged, sensory language of the First Nations Version: Indigenous Translation of the New Testament (FNV). Rather than having us receive good things like children with our hands out to the one who put flesh on God’s love, the FNV immerses us in the many gifts of kindness being poured out on us like a never-ending, life-giving rainfall.  

Tonight the season of gift-giving and divine presence we know as Christmastide comes to an end. For some of us, the twelfth night of Christmas is when the tree comes down and other seasonal decorations are put away until next year. Saying goodbye (for now) to items that carry rich memories of shared joy and love can feel bittersweet. 

But God’s grace-upon-grace gift-giving never ends. In season and out, day in and day out, countless gifts of kindness are poured out upon us from the fullness of God’s heart. God’s grace is available to us not just for one day or twelve days, but every day. And that is worth celebrating without end.  

Prayer
For grace upon grace, showers of gifts, the Light that still shines, and presence and blessings yet to be revealed, we give you thanks and praise.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, in Amherst, Massachusetts, and a spiritual director.