WEDNESDAY December 25, 2024

God’s Christmas Gift

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7

Finding a humble stable in which to stay and rest, Mary, with Joseph by her side, gave birth to her Son. She tenderly wrapped her newborn Baby in swaddling cloths and gently laid Him in a manger. The streets of Bethlehem city remained busy and unaware of the miracle that had just taken place––the Savior, the King of kings, was born!

At Christmastime, our cities’ streets are packed with people buying gifts for their families and friends. They carefully wrap what they have bought, place pretty bows, and write a loving to-and-from message on a Christmas tag. For some families, they exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve, while others open their gifts on Christmas morning. When a gift is handed to a person, what does the recipient do? They excitedly open their gift!

For a moment this Christmas Day, pause to reflect upon the miracle of God’s greatest gift––His Son, wrapped in human flesh. With His gift came a loving to-and-from message: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). What an incredible gift has been handed to each one of us!

Now that you have been handed a gift from God and have read His loving message, what will you do? Will you lay the gift aside, unopened? Or will you excitedly receive His gift and gladly open it? Sadly, many people reject God’s gift. However, look what happens to those who do receive God’s Son: He [Jesus] came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.... (John 1:11-12).

God has given you a priceless gift––the free gift of salvation through belief in His Son. I encourage you to accept God’s Christmas gift.

You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.
~John R. Rice~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!