12 Days Of Christmas: The Gift

Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.

- Prophet Isaiah, Matthew 1:23

Shhh! Be still. All is well. I am here. Do not be afraid. The world is no longer in the hands of the evil one but in the arms of a loving Shepherd.

- God's Christmas Eve Whisper

As a young dad tucked his son into bed on Christmas Eve, the little guy said, "Dad... I can't wait to wake up!" His father smiled and said, "Neither can I, son!" Because the father's excitement in buying and wrapping those gifts for his son was as great as the son's would be in unwrapping the gifts.

So imagine, if after all the expense and effort the father made to get these gifts for his son, that on Christmas morning the son, for whatever reason, should refuse to open the gifts. Without question, not only would the father be hurt, but the son also would receive none of the benefits of the gifts.

As crazy as that sounds, it is amazing to me how many people celebrate Christmas every year without opening the greatest and most expensive gift of all. Jesus Christ is God's Christmas gift to you!

Several years ago, Pastor Rick Warren surveyed Christmas shoppers by asking them, "What are you celebrating this Christmas?" They said...

- I'm celebrating that I made it through another year.

- I'm celebrating being home with my family.

- I got a Christmas bonus.

- My son is home from Afghanistan.

- The candidate I voted for got elected.

- I'm celebrating that I've finished all my shopping.

- I'm not celebrating anything. I'm just trying to survive.

Almost none of them had anything to do with Jesus. Why celebrate Christmas if you're not going to open the Best Gift of All? Wrapped up in Jesus are God's greatest benefits. He can replace...

...your panic with peace

...your guilt with forgiveness

...your failures with new beginnings

...your worry with confidence

...your confusion with clarity

...your sadness with joy

...your emptiness with purpose.

Years ago, Arnold Palmer was playing an exhibition golf match in Saudi Arabia. The king was impressed and told Arnold he would like to give him a gift. Arnold protested and said, "That's not necessary." The king said, "I would be deeply upset if you did not receive my gift." Palmer thought for a moment and said, "Ok, how about a golf club. That would be a nice memento of my trip to your country." The next day...delivered to Palmer's hotel was the title to a golf club...thousands of acres, trees, lakes, clubhouse, etc.

The moral of the story is: In the presence of a King, don't ask for small gifts! The God of Heaven and Earth has gifted you His only Son, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day.

Unwrap the Gift... Invite Jesus to forgive you and to take up residence in your life as the Forgiver and Leader of your life today!

Pastor Harry

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