What a Gift That Is
Christmas is when we remember that God came close. We were in trouble, and even though we were created to be with Him, our hearts were far away. There was a barrier between us and our Creator, and that night He took a huge step toward breaking it down.
If a couple thousand years of Jewish history teaches us anything, it’s that the answer isn’t going to be found through our own efforts to be better. So, God took a big step toward us by coming to live with us, showing us the way, and removing that barrier through Jesus’ death on the cross. It’s not about being good; it’s about being near to God through Jesus Christ!
I know some of us go to Christmas Eve Service just because it’s required. You know what I mean. Your Grandma said everyone has to go to church if they want to open presents later, so you go. If that’s where you find yourself and you’d really rather we’d just get done with all the religious stuff, I get it. But I also know there might be a reason why you hesitate.
I know that in the past some churches may have given you a reason to shut out the story of Christmas. But this story isn’t about any one church. It’s about a relationship with God. It’s about love, life, and freedom. So, if you’ve already closed your mind to the story, I just ask you to please give it a chance. Take another look and possibly reconsider. Try to look past everything you’ve heard about Jesus and everything you’ve seen people do in His name and just try to find out for yourself who Jesus is.
God sent His Son because you’re important to Him. If God had a wallet, He’d be carrying your picture around in it. That’s why He made a plan to restore His relationship with you and that plan began with a baby in a manger.
It’s amazing to think that many of the detailed predictions about Jesus’s birth and death were recorded hundreds – if not thousands – of years before He was born. Through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the prophets knew we needed a Savior, and they predicted His coming. But we aren’t just talking about an event that happened 2,000 years ago. We’re talking about something that’s happening right now, and we need to decide how we’re going to respond to it.
Your response is a gift more precious to God than gold, or frankincense, or myrrh. You can bring a wonderful gift to God just by allowing Him more space in your heart. So, exchange gifts with your amazing Creator this Christmas. Give Him your heart and He’ll give you the Son who brings eternal life. And what a gift that is!