The Greatest Gift of All Jesus Christ

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The Greatest Gift of All: Knowing the Love of Christ this Christmas

We all remember what it was like to be a kid on Christmas morning.

The joy of rising before daybreak and making our way to the family tree to discover what Santa had left behind during his annual visit to our home.

It was the most magical feeling to see the array of gifts left by Santa while we had slept soundly in our beds. In some homes, cookie crumbs sat on an otherwise clean plate, the milk glass empty, and the carrots in the backyard held slight nibble marks that could be left only by the reindeer. There was truly nothing quite like Christmas morning.

Of course, as adults, it’s quite different. We probably don’t get butterflies as we head downstairs on Christmas morning. We don’t leave a letter for Santa and his elves, nor do we listen intently for the sound of his sleigh and reindeer. However, there’s still something inside of us that appreciates the magic of the day. That thrill of hope that the old carol speaks of is still alive and well inside those of us who know the true meaning of the holiday.

Yet, the true meaning of the holiday is easily forgotten in the hustle and bustle. And, maybe even more so, it’s easy to forget as our minds become consumed with presents and spending and the festivities.

Though we don’t experience Christmas the same way we did when we were children, we still make our lists and fill our carts (although today, you’re more likely to find them on Amazon).

As we think through what we want most for Christmas, the few things we just have to have to make our season complete, our list gets longer. We share our wish list with our spouses, friends, parents, and siblings, hoping it will be fulfilled. It’s hard to admit that we still think about these things as adults, but deep down, I’m pretty sure the majority of us have a wish list.

Don’t fret. It’s natural to want to receive. We are consumers mesmerized by the latest innovations and gadgets. Let’s face it, we live in a materialistic culture that craves “stuff.” And yet, it never seems to be enough.

So, it’s also natural that our excitement over Christmas decreases as we mature. The anticipation we felt as children is a distant memory. As adults, we understand that presents and material objects will never fulfill the longing in our souls. Our hearts begin to search for significance, and this search may lead us to the greatest gift of all – the Love of Christ.

The love of Jesus Christ is the most precious gift we can receive and is the very reason we celebrate Christmas. His love is what Advent is all about. All of the hope, peace, longing, and joy we seek so heartily during this time of year are found in Him and Him alone.

His extravagant love for you is endless.

Take a moment to reflect upon these words: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NLT). The Word is Jesus. He has existed for all time, “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him” (John 1:3 NLT). For all eternity, He was in heaven, in perfect glory.

He loves you so much that He gave up everything to come to earth. And He didn’t come as a king, showered with riches and praise. He came as a baby, needy and helpless. He was born into a poor family, and shamed by the public who didn’t believe Mary was really a virgin. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3 ESV). And He did that out of love for us.

If we pause to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and accept the love given to us, we will experience this holiday like never before. This love accessible to each of us is life-changing. And, it is only through understanding the outrageous love God has for you that you will ever learn to be satisfied.

His perfect love is eternal. A love that will never let you go. A Love that came to earth for you, died on a cross for you, and poured out its blood for you. He who is Love loves you more than you can ever comprehend.

That love is the greatest gift of all. Sure, presents are awesome, and it’s fun to exchange gifts on Christmas day with those you love. But, without the greatest gift of Jesus’ love, all of it will come to nothing.

So, this holiday, as you awaken on Christmas morning, the excitement may not feel like it did when you were a child, but know this: the delight that comes from His love, the greatest gift of all, will produce endless joy that will make you ecstatic beyond anything your childhood self could ever experience!

Romans 5: 6-11 (NLT), “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ¹For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”