Christmas is a time of giving. We spend lots of time shopping at the malls or online to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones. It might be the latest video game system, expensive jewelry, or some new clothes. Giving gifts is a good thing and all of these things are nice, but the greatest gift was the one given by God over two thousand years ago in the town of Bethehem in Judea.
God’s gift didn’t come wrapped in fancy wrapping paper. It was wrapped in strips of cloth.
God’s gift wasn’t delivered by UPS or FedEx. It was delivered by a young girl named Mary.
God’s gift wasn’t placed under a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. It was placed in a manger, the feeding trough of animals in a stable.
God’s gift to us is eternal life that was given through a tiny baby named Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, born to save us from the sin that separates us from our heavenly Father.
Did we deserve such a gift? No. The Bible tells us that the wages of our sin should be death. But God loves us so much that, through Jesus, He gave us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). To pay for this gift, Jesus gave His own life in place of ours. God’s only Son died so that we could have that gift of eternal life. Now, that is an expensive gift! But God felt we were worth the price.
This gift is given to us freely, if we choose to accept it by making a decision to follow Jesus. If you have never done that, all you need to do is ask Him to forgive your sins, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and ask Him to come into your life and change it. The prayer can be something like this:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. In Your name, Amen.”
If you say this prayer from the bottom of your heart, He will forgive your sins. You will be made right with God and receive the gift of salvation (Romans 10:10).
The greatest gift of all can be yours!
A Worshiper's Journal 