The Precious Gift

What can be said about Christmas that hasn’t been said already? What can be said about Jesus Christ that hasn’t been said before? He was born into obscurity, mainly unnoticed by the world, but the proclamation of His birth was probably the most spectacular display of God’s glory ever seen on earth. Those who saw it had their lives changed forever. Those who heard about it travelled hundreds of miles to worship the newborn child, bringing with them precious gifts, which were symbolic of riches and purity.

He was born in obscurity. He was hunted by those who knew of His presence but saw Him as a threat to their authority. King Herod, driven by fear, had all baby boys murdered in an attempt to eliminate any threat to His power.

Crowds flocked to see Him and listen to His teaching. Their understanding about themselves and their life was turned upside down. They were amazed, transformed, healed and even raised from the dead. They were introduced to the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. To all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the gift of the promise of eternal life.

In the Garden of Eden, the serpent sowed the first seeds of doubt. He taunted Eve about the forbidden fruit; “Did God really say you must not eat of it?” He led her into deception with the promise that she could become like God Himself. Adam and Eve fell for the lie and were banished from God’s presence.

We are currently living in the midst of an epidemic on a scale that’s never been known before. We’re at the crossroads of life. The truth has been proclaimed for centuries and the consequences of stubbornness and pride have been clearly laid out in Scripture. A choice still has to be made, but the promise remains.

Jesus was born into poverty. A love greater than any human experience is reaching out to mankind. The price has been paid so that everyone may know of His saving grace. All we have to do is receive; no conditions, no pressure, just receive. God longs to restore His people, His treasured possession, to Himself, and give them with all the riches of heaven and His Kingdom.

Christmas is about giving. God gave Himself, in the person of His dearly beloved son, for the world to share. It is good news of great joy for all people, life itself, the ultimate gift. Let His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, and let us enter into the joy of the Lord.

This could be the most life-transforming Christmas of all. Except of course the first one, in a stable, in Bethlehem.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your precious gift in Jesus Christ. Somehow words do not seem adequate to describe the enormity of this gift and the intensity of Your sacrifice. Let my life be a witness to my gratitude, in Jesus’ name. Amen.