John 3:16

‘”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

DAILY READING Mark 14:1-31; 1 Kings 8; Hosea 9:17-10:15

Recently on Fox News, was the story that, the entire nation of New Zealand is hosting a nationwide gift exchange program this Christmas.  This is unique and remarkable because virtually the whole country is involved. This gift exchange program is aimed at ensuring that everyone in the country gets a gift at Christmas. Thousands of people in the country have signed up to take part in the national gift exchange, including the nation’s Prime Minister. This program, was first started in 2010 by an individual, who simply put out a call on Twitter asking if his fellow citizens would like to take part in a gift exchange. The program became so popular that the government took notice and has now made it a state-sponsored event. Indeed it is a lovely idea to have everyone in the country exchanging gifts at Christmas. However the question is; does everyone know the real reason for the season.

For many people around the world, Christmas is simply a season of fanfare, celebrations and exchange of gifts. Sales increase so dramatically at this period, that Christmas is the largest economic stimulus for many nations. In 2013, the United States’ retail industry generated over three trillion dollars during the Christmas holiday season. In some places, Christmas shopping season can start as early as September and some consumers begin even earlier.

Yes indeed, globally Christmas is a period of gift exchange and so much fanfare, but the question remains; do people really know the reason for the season.

Though the wise men may have started this tradition of gifts giving, yet at the heart of Christmas is the fact that God gave the greatest gift of all to mankind. God gave His only Son, born in a humble stable, to shed His blood on the cross, as redemption for us.

For thousands of years mankind was held captive in sin. They were under wrath and under a curse.  Yet God continued to promise, through His prophets, the coming of a savior, who would take on Himself the sin of the world, and save mankind from wrath. And  today we celebrate the birth of this savior. He is the greatest gift of all; Our Savior! Our Redeemer! Our Deliverer!  Without this gift we had no hope. We were doomed to die in our sin, forever separated from God.

Now, because Jesus came and redeemed us, we can be called the sons of God. He the son of God, became the son of man that we the sons of men can be called the sons of God. And according to Psalm 56:13 we can now declare “For you have delivered my soul from death”.

And now today at Christmas, we celebrate that the Almighty, Glorious God became a man, taking on the limitations of time and space, that we might behold and receive His glory. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to save us.

Christmas therefore, is a yearly reminder of God’s love. And out of gratitude for what He did for us, we should respond by giving thanks today to God for His indescribable gift. And not only today, but for eternity, we can shout in praises and thanksgiving daily to God for the gift of Christ.

PRAYER:  Our dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Your son that You gave to save me from sin and unrighteousness.  I thank you for Your love so richly revealed through the precious gift of Christ. Because He lives, I live also, and through Christ indeed I can do all things.

quote

Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK ESTABLISHED BY THE WORD OF GOD]

Prayer –

Until the day I see you face to face to express my appreciation, my worship and praises, please know my heartfelt gratitude and my deep and abiding joy because of your plan, your Son, and your salvation. I thank you in the Name of Jesus.