Gifts are often viewed as either the best or most stressful part of the Christmas season. Perhaps, like in the hilarious movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, our expectations can be set high only to end up with a Jelly of the Month club subscription. It could be the pressure of wanting to give the perfect gift or being able to find it; either way, when we get down to it, gifts are a big deal.
Men and Women shop different, but the criteria for finding that perfect gift is usually the same:
· It matters where the gift came from
· It matters what the gift looks like
· It matters what benefits the gift offers
· It matters how long the gift will be valuable
· It matters how much it costs
· It matters how the gift is received.
I don’t have a gift shopping guide for you, but I do want to talk to you about the greatest gift you could ever receive. You may not be able to afford the designer labels like Armani, Gucci, or Yeezy, but you do have access to the perfect gift that exceeds all, Jesus Christ. He is the perfect and only gift worth celebrating for Christmas.
“Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:17
Jesus came from Heaven, down through Adam, onward to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; from the tribe of Judah, from a wild child named David, born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem, prophesied 700 years before he was born. Herod tried to kill him but realized he couldn’t touch him. Daniel prophesied (Daniel 9:24) the birth of a king who would die for mankind, and He fulfilled every prophecy.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7
Given that Jesus was born in a manger, not in a palace, He may not have looked like much to us. You see, we look at the outward appearance of a gift, but God looks on the heart. God saw his Son, a picture of beauty and purpose, the ultimate redemption of mankind. When we step outside ourselves and look at the gift of Jesus, there’s truly nothing better. Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving; a promise for eternity.
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”- Romans 5:16
The story of the Woman at the Well gives a great example of how we may not comprehend how great the gift of Jesus is to us. When Jesus was traveling through Samaria, he stopped at Jacob’s well to rest when a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus asked her, “Will you give me a drink?” and she said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” You see she was still only able to see the outward appearance, not the heart. Jesus answered her this way:
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and he would have given you living water.”- James 4:10
So many things today lose their value almost immediately, and we take them for granted or toss them aside. The gift of Jesus is one of eternal life with him, living water that continues forever. I can’t think of anything more valuable, or any gift that gives more than that. (Romans 6:23)
Giving the gift of Jesus cost God everything, but He is freely given to you. This gift isn’t something you or I can earn or buy, it’s free. The most important question this season is, will you receive Him?
I heard a story of a naturalist who had been observing an ant bed for several months and had gotten attached to it. The day finally came when the bulldozers had to come break the ground for a new science wing. The naturalist tried to save the ants by grabbing handfuls of them, but they bit him. He thought to himself “if only I could make them see that I am for them and only want what’s best for them.”
I wonder how God feels when we reject His gift. The difference between ants and humans is that we have a soul, a conscience. Inside we long for the Christ connection, to live free and fully alive, and until we receive the perfect gift that keeps on giving, we will never experience true fullness.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
If you’re ready to receive the gift of Jesus this Christmas, just pray this simple prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that you’re alive and hearing me pray. Please come into my heart, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and save me. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer and meant it, then He heard you and saved you. Please email me and let me know.
If this ministry has been blessing to you this year, can I ask you to help us deliver hope and help through media, missions and the message of grace? As you plan your year-end giving, please remember Ronnie Phillips Ministries International. No gift is too small. For just $10 per month, you can partner with us to make a difference in Chattanooga, our nation and our mission efforts around the world.