Of Christmas Gifts and Givers

The Magi or Wisemen gave gifts to the Christ child as an act of worship. Matthew 2:11 -

New International Version “On coming to the house they (the Magi) saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh.”

Note: It is a common belief that the Christ child was about two years old when the Magi arrived to worship him. They did not arrive at the stable on the night of His birth, like the shepherds. Neither does any translation state there were three Magi…it simply states “Magi from the east came…”

The greatest gift

In Romans chapter five, the Apostle Paul explains the importance and magnitude of the greatest gift for all ages: Eternal life, forgiveness of all sins through Jesus.

Romans 5:12, 15, 17, 21 New International Reader’s Version

“Sin entered the world because one man (Adam) sinned. And death came because of sin. Everyone sinned, so death came to all people.

…Death ruled even over those who did not sin as Adam did. He broke God’s command. But he also became a pattern of the One who was going to come.

God’s gift is different from Adam’s sin. Many people died because of that one man (Adam). But it was even more sure that God’s grace would also come through one man. That man is Jesus Christ, God’s gift of grace was more than enough for the whole world.

One man sinned and death ruled because of his sin. But we are even more sure of what will happen because of what one man, Jesus Christ, has done. Those who receive the rich supply of God’s grace will rule with Christ in his kingdom. They have received God’s gift and have been made right with him.

…The grace of God brings eternal life because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.”

Truly Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. Those who have not received this gift really can’t comprehend the preciousness of it. It is just like with any gift one receives; only the recipient knows the real value of the gift.

I use to ask the youngsters I taught in children’s church and an after school “Kid’s Club”, “What would you do if you spent all that you owned on a gift for someone you loved very much. You offer them your gift, and they refuse to take it from you, and walked away. How would you feel?” While the answers were varied, they all translated out to feelings of hurt and anger. Just think about it, how would you feel?

God has done the very same thing: He sent his only Son to live and die so that we can be rid of all sins, including the one we were born into, because of Adam. Why did God do this? It is because He loves us, because He desires our fellowship, and because we are His creation.

Now it is our turn, the gift has been offered, God is waiting for us to accept it or to refuse and walk away. Since I and thousands of others have accepted it and can testify it is truly the Greatest Gift ever – what is holding you back from also finding out this truth?

Maybe you think you have accepted it, but if you have even the smallest doubt, you have probably just thought you have, and really haven’t actually asked God to forgive you of all your sins; and to ask Jesus to come into your heart and life. I know of individuals who think they are a Christian, but who never really accepted Jesus. I was one, so was my father, and I know of a young man who went through Bible College and two years of seminary, who never really accepted Jesus until a month before he graduated from seminary!

If you have never acted upon this offer by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you, do it now, and make it the best Christmas you’ll ever have by accepting the Greatest Gift ever given that will last throughout all eternity.