A True Christmas Gift
I met a wonderful sister in the Lord recently. She recalled a particular gift that she received from her employer year after year. She wondered why they kept giving her the same unusual gift time after time. Each year she unwrapped her gift, it was the same thing. She made known that her employer was a church and the gift was a bible.
I supposed that they subscribed to the adage ‘if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' The times that they gave the bible as a gift, she from her heart did not trust in, nor serve Jesus Christ-she just had a job at a church. Then, one day she gave in. She couldn’t hold out any longer. She accepted Christ in her life as Savior and Lord. Now she is serving the Lord with readiness of mind, great Godly passion, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
She found out that ‘Yes ’tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease; just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace.’
The gift she received was a true Christmas gift. It was thoughtfully given from one who saw significance in another. There was loving intent. Love should be the foundation for all giving for in giving by love you gain in return. The apostle Paul advised, “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3 New Living Translation)
That was just the way the first true Christmas gift was given. The first gift truly was not gold, or frankincense, nor myrrh. The first gift was the babe lying in the manger, the baby Jesus; the one who would save His people from their sins.
Our heavenly Father thoughtfully gave Him unto us. He saw value in us though sin had marred, stained us deep within. He knew us for He knows all men; He knows what is in our hearts. We were just like strangers to Him, aliens. We were alienated, ignorant, and blind because of our desperately wicked hearts.
Yet because of His loving nature, our heavenly Father desired intensely to give us a gift. How about that? Giving a gift to a stranger? But, a man’s gift makes room for him. (Proverbs 18:16) Then, how much more would God’s gift make room for Him in the heart of those who gladly welcome and receive His gift!
And, He gave not just any gift. But, He gave unto us a heavenly treasure. It came in the form of a pretty little package. A little baby boy wrapped in swaddling clothes. He gave unto us His only begotten Son. Love compelled Him to do it.
The reason His gift is so wonderful is because His gift meets our deepest need. Our deepest need is to be reconciled unto God. Our relationship with God was severed in the Garden of Eden. Sin ravaged, ruined our communion with Him.
God being concerned about our predicament, lovingly and thoughtfully gave His Son, delivering Him up to be crucified to redeem us from the curse brought on us by sin. According to the scriptures Jesus died for all our sin, was buried, and then was raised from the dead by God’s mighty power. Through faith in Jesus saving grace we can have eternal life. Christ Jesus is the true Christmas gift.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Larry D. Reed, Sr.
I Owe Jesus
12/19/06 Revised 11/30/07
