The Best Gift
When I was a young child my best present ever was from my parents - a large box of assorted colouring pencils. Dozens of them! I loved anything to do with art and colours, and I do to this day. In the many years since then, my husband, daughters and friends have given me lots of lovely gifts, sent or given with their love and always thoughtful.
These presents may have cost a little or a lot, and that didn't matter at all. But just over two thousand years ago, one gift cost Someone everything He had, purchased even though no money was involved. Jesus is God's gift to us. He is the second person of what we call the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Of course, life itself is a gift from God for each one of us, and we have various talents bestowed on us too. Psalm 16 verses 5 and 6 say "You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are". Our heavenly Father desires fellowship with us. He doesn't NEED us but He WANTS us! He wants us to live forever in heaven!
But what could be done about sin? Sin can have no place in heaven. Romans chapter 3 verses 23 and 24 say "Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with Him through Christ, who sets them free". So God's beloved Son came to earth, was born in a humble stable and eventually crucified. For us! Because, nailed on that wooden cross, He took upon Himself the sins of the world and became a once-for-all perfect SACRIFICE.
The best gift is called "grace". By His grace, God the Father welcomes ANYONE who has accepted that they are a sinner and cannot save themselves from hell, and who believes for salvation in Jesus Christ. Romans chapter 10 verses 9 and 10: "If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved".
Have you had a favourite present that filled you with joy? Our heavenly Father's gift can do that. 2 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 15 says "Let us thank God for His priceless gift!"