It’s the Christmas tradition that causes the most excitement for children (and anxiety for parents) – presents. Hours are spent studying the catalogues, scanning the internet and searching the shops to get it right. So what makes a gift a good one? Here are five features, and as you look at them I hope you will see that God is offering the perfect gift.
- It’s Essential
If you open a present and can truthfully say, “That is
exactly what I need” then you have a good gift.
What about God’s gift? The angel announced its arrival by
saying, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”
(Luke 2:10-11).
Many think they have no need of such a gift and they are
offended by the offer, but this is something we all desperately need. The Bible
says, “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). Our sins will keep us out of heaven and
under God’s judgment forever. Nothing we can do can get us out of the danger we
are in. That’s why this gift is perfect – God is offering you a Saviour. It is
essential.
- It’s Expensive
If someone sacrificed a lot to get you a gift then you would
value it. How much did God’s gift cost? For us to be saved from the punishment
we deserve someone else had to take it. God’s Son was the only one who could,
and “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” (John 3:16).
Nothing less than God giving His Son could provide salvation, and nothing more
is needed – the price is paid, and God raised Him from the dead. You can’t earn
this gift; you just have to gratefully accept it.
- It’s Enjoyable
There are some gifts we need that will never fill us with
joy. Many think salvation is like that. They couldn’t be more wrong. The Lord
Jesus told a woman that if she only knew the gift He was offering she would ask
Him for it (John 4:10). If you only knew the peace, joy and satisfaction that
come through having Christ as Saviour you would ask Him for this gift right now.
- It’s Enduring
Very few gifts last very long. God’s gift is different. The
Bible says, “the gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23). This is a gift
that never needs replaced. You can have it now and enjoy it forever.
- It’s Embraced
No matter how good a gift is, it will do you no good unless
you take it. The Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect gift, but you have to receive
Him for yourself (John 1:12).You don’t have to wait until Christmas to receive
Him; in fact, you dare not wait. Take God’s gift now and you will never regret
it. “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
