We honour Jesus Christ as God’s greatest gift to us because we did nothing to deserve his invaluable birth and his precious life. God gave us Jesus out of his love to reconcile us in love back to Him. For this undeserved favour through Christ Jesus we celebrate Christ at Christmas as a gift from God. Romans 6: 23 says the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus is available to everyone as a gift of God unto us for our salvation. Romans 3: 24 says we are justified by grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. We did nothing to obtain the gift known as grace in Christ. At Christmas, we appreciate Jesus as such and for many reasons as follows:
Christ is God’s gift of righteousness
Romans 5: 17 says if because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. By Christ Jesus, we have righteousness, it is immeasurable and no other being could have given us this gift. Romans 3:10 says none is righteous, no, not one. However Acta3: 14 refers to Jesus Christ as the Holy and Righteous One. At Christmas our prayer should be to attain righteousness and holiness in Christ Jesus Our Lord.
Christ is God’s gift of his presence
Jesus Christ is God in flesh who dwelt among men. John 1:1 says in the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Man is not the word nor is he God but Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 10: 30 that I and the Father are one. If God is with us, then we must be faithful to him. Does the word dwell with and in us? Revelation 2:10 says we must be faithful unto death, and Christ will give us the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 says be faithful unto death, and I (Christ) will give you the crown of life. At Christmas, we must be conscious of the presence of God with us so we can walk in faith through Christ Jesus our Lord and be holy as he is. Through Christ Jesus, God dwells with us by the Holy Spirit.
Christ is God’s gift of unlimited grace
John 1: 14 says and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. We receive grace from God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Only Jesus is full of grace. Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. At Christmas we must appropriate the grace of God. Paul says, in Romans 6:1 that shall we continue to sin whilst grace abounds? We must heed to the call of Christ Jesus and turn away from sin by his blood. He calls us today to come to him without delay.
Christ is God’s gift of truth
We are privileged to have Jesus Christ to teach us the truth about God. Jesus Christ is the Saviour, our prince of peace, full of grace and truth. He is an epitome of mercy and unlimited love. He is our eternal judge; the word made flesh and dwelt among us. He came to show us the way to eternity for he said in John 14:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, but by me. At Christmas we must follow God’s only approved way which is Christ Jesus as the gift of truth.
Christ is God’s gift of eternal life
Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved. Have we thought of the possibility of losing our lives in eternity? John 10:10 says that I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. Abundant life is through hard work for Christ Jesus in his vineyard. Romans 6: 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. What have we done for Christ to merit eternity with him? At Christmas, we must evaluate what we have done for Christ not what Christ Jesus can and will do for us.
Christ is God’s gift of love
Romans 5: 8 says but God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Through Christ Jesus, God shows his love towards us. Are we ready to also live and to die for Christ Jesus? Are we ready to sacrifice for Jesus Christ? He wants our precious time and sincerity as fishers of men because the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. John 15:13 says greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.1 Thessalonians 5: 10 says Christ died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Do we love Jesus as he loves us?
Christ is God’s gift of companionship
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. We must admit Jesus into our hearts as Lord and savior, dine with him and he with us. He will save our souls and make all things anew for us. He is the greatest friend and gift in creation. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 says therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. Are we lonely in any circumstances? Do we feel betrayed by any one? Jesus is a tried and tested true companion. At Christmas we must hold him fast as God’s true gift of companionship.
Christ is God’s gift for our health
Christ Jesus is our bill of health in all circumstances whether spiritual or physical. He heals with absolute finality. Jesus said in Luke 4: 18-19 He (God) has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. His healing is instantaneous with outright satisfaction. Christ Jesus is not limited by physical or spiritual barriers. Matthew 4: 23-24 says Jesus Christ went about healing every disease and every infirmity among the people including all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralysis. Known as a man of miracles, in Matthew 8: 27; Mark 4: 41; Luke 8: 25 the people asked, what sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him. At Christmas we come to Jesus with all our burdens for rest. Are we ready for Jesus’ intervention?
Jesus is God’s composite gift
In Christ Jesus, we have all we need supplied. Philippians 4:19 says my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. This makes it clear that Jesus Christ is God’s greatest gift to mankind and has no substitute. To the doubtful minds and hearts 2 Corinthians 10: 5 says we destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. At Christmas we are to soberly review our relationship with Christ Jesus in our joyful moments of celebration. May Christ Jesus be and remain our greatest gift from God, Shalom!!
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, today as we accept you as God’s greatest gift to us, we yield our bodies, souls, spirits and circumstances to you. Wash us and consecrate us unto your purpose to your glory and honour. In your precious holy name we pray, Amen!!
