Christmas Presents

One of the best stories within the Christmas account is that of the Wise Men. In Matthew 2:7-12 they came to Jerusalem after following a great star, to see Jesus. They were met by Herod who sent them to Bethlehem to search for the child. They were to find the child and then bring word back to Herod as to his whereabouts. God spoke and redirected them away from Herod. The Wise Men brought Gold which represented His purity... Frankincense which illustrates the sweet fragrance of His life which pleased His Father...and Myrrh which was a prediction of his death (used for embalming.) All of these show that the Wise men gave their best. These are the gifts they brought to Christ...But the greatest gifts were given to us by God.

Love – John 3:16 “God so loved the world...” We were all sinners bound by pride and greed. But God sent Jesus to do for us what we could never do on our own. He sent Jesus to save us...God did that because He loved us. One of the greatest gifts God ever gave was the gift of loving those of us who are unlovable. God so loved sinners.... How many sermons have we heard and songs have we sang about the love of God? Among the hundreds and maybe even thousands, we still have trouble loving each other. God so loved us...but we’re have a hard time loving one another. Can we say we have truly been changed by His love and still harbor bitterness in our hearts?

You could give a gift this Christmas that would not cost you a dime. How’s that? Mend a quarrel with someone you’ve had a disagreement with. Stop being suspicious or jealous or critical of others. Tell someone, "I love you." Give something to someone--anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away an angry attitude with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you’ve been wrong. Be especially kind to someone who may not deserve it.

Light – John 8:12 “I am the light of the world...” The wise men saw a star that lit up the sky. But God sent Jesus to light up the earth. And now whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness. When baby Jesus was lying in a trough, most could have never imagined the power over darkness, doom, dread, and deception that baby would have. Mary and Joseph could have never imagined the power and the change He would bring.

John 1:9 says He is “the true light.” Evidently there others who claimed to be the Light, the Messiah, the Savior. But the Bible is clear, there is only one Light. The darkness he speaks of is sin...evil...ignorance.
People walk in darkness because they choose sin over salvation. When Jesus sheds His light on the power sin has over you, it’s His way of loving you and opening the door that leads out of darkness into light.
People walk in darkness because they become captives rather than believing Christ. Evil is everywhere, from the streets of New Orleans to the streets of Trinity. Whether it’s a crack house in Atlanta or a Meth lab in Decatur. Whether it is a shooting in New York or abuse in the house next door. Evil knows no boundaries. Evil will attack any home, any family, any community. And when it does, people become captives. What about you? Are you bound as a captive...or are you believing Christ?
People walk in darkness because they ignore the obvious while embracing the options. Options that mock the cross and ridicule the sinless life of Christ. Jesus never said He was one of many ways. He said He was the only way. The Gnostics of His day are alive and well in our day. Their attempt to explain, comprehend, and fully describe are what many are looking for. Jesus doesn’t fit into that theology. He is unexplainable. He is incomprehendable. He is in describable.

Life – John 6:51 “...for the life of the world...” Jesus is the Bread of Life which he gives for the life of the world. In other words, He gives Himself for the salvation of the world. What a thought! What is it that feeds us? Jesus longs to feed us with Himself...The Living Bread. The Bread that gives eternal life.
When I eat this bread I am filled. The prodigal son came home empty. He had his fill of all the far country had to offer and came back to His father wanting some home-cooking. Jesus fills our life.
When I eat this bread I am freed. Jesus came to make captives free. We don’t talk about that much because none of us likes to admit we are captive to anything. But we are. And receiving Jesus makes us free.
When I eat this bread I am forgiven. Before I can be forgiven I must admit my guilt. Receiving Jesus only happens as I recognize and admit my guilt. I am a guilty sinner and I need an innocent Savior. He Forgives me.

I am thankful for the gift of love in a world filled with hate. I am thankful for light in a world so full of darkness. I am grateful for life in a world full of death. But most of all I am thankful for the greatest gift ever...the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Greatest Gift is Jesus.