The Gift

As I'm sitting here, the frenzy of wrapping paper and gifts has subsided and the excitement has quickly passed. The buildup of the season has hit it's pinnacle and is quickly rushing back down to the common everyday run of things. The things that were highly anticipated are now tossed aside on the floor...it's Christmas afternoon.

How different this must look in comparison to the days when Jesus was born. His purpose was true and lasting and His gift has endured the test of time.

There's a verse that is so commonly used throughout the year but not one that you necessarily connect with the Christmas season. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. This is the essence of Christmas. God gave his Son ,Jesus, as a small baby. He didn't give him to just Mary and Joseph to raise as their own son to do ordinary things. He gave him so that the whole world may come to know the love that God has for us, as sinners, through His extraordinary actions.

The world was in great need of a savior, one that would be strong enough to carry the sins of the world on his shoulders. So on that night in Bethlehem so many years ago, that's exactly what God did. He sent his son as a gift for us that we may live eternally with Him. That is a gift worth receiving.