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Christmas Every Day, Gifts From Jesus

by Roland Crim
12/24/19
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Christmas is here! We celebrate by gathering around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts. Although this can show much gratitude and thanks to others, honestly if I were to go through a Christmas without receiving or giving one gift, that, of itself would not depress me.

What would depress me is to not receive the gifts which Jesus Christ has provided to me, and to all. Without those gifts, to me, life would lack meaning. His gifts are too many to note them all within a writing, but I would like to discuss four here. The wonderful thing about gifts provided by the Lord is they can be received every day. Different people come to Christ at different moments in their lives, so the fact that the gifts are always available makes every day like Christmas. If we have received the gifts already, then what about receiving the gift of joy in knowing that someone else has come to Christ.

The initial gift that I would like to mention today is the gift of the incarnation. “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” John 1:14 NIV. Who better to really know us than the one who sent the Spirit to dwell within us and who took the form of man through the virgin birth? He knows that which we feel because He also felt it: pain, suffering, rejection, joy, peace….and the list goes on. Don’t ever believe that Christ cannot understand that which you undergo. That is only the evil one talking to you. Christ knows everything you feel, and He loves you more than you could ever know. He shared with us about the heavenly Father, that we might come to know Him better. God truly lived among us!

The second and third gifts, in my opinion go together. They are salvation and the forgiveness of sins. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are lost in a world filled with evil. There is an answer, a way to be saved, and it comes solely through Jesus Christ. We must accept Him for who He is, God the Son, and we must accept the gift of salvation from Him. We did nothing to earn it yet it is freely offered to us. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15 NIV. Unless Christ had gone to the cross with our sins, they would not have been forgiven and we would not have received salvation. Jesus took to the cross with Him every sin that ever has been or will be committed. He did so that anyone who would believe in Him would have received salvation. Of the four gifts from Christ discussed in this message, this is the one that we as followers of Christ also have the capability to do. We can and must forgive others their sins against us. If we do not there is no way for us to truly accept the gift of forgiveness from Christ.

The final gift I wish to mention here is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 NIV. Living in this world is tough. For us to be Christ-like we need an advocate. This advocate is the Holy Spirit, a gift from Christ to those who believe in Him. The Holy Spirit directs us in the ways of the Lord. Imagine, God dwelling within you! This is truly amazing and such a blessing.

Many other gifts come to us through Christ. What a beautiful way to spend some time on Christmas Day reflecting upon these gifts. These gifts are not like gifts received from others in that they do not lose their value or worth over time. Spend some time today in prayer with the Lord, thanking Him for all His gifts to you. May you all truly have a blessed Christmas filled with God’s gifts!