The Gift

The beautiful sunset screensaver that appeared on the paused screen made me think of God's creation and His greatness: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit—our Triune God, the only true living God. His greatness reminds me of this season we celebrate. God the Father loves this sinful world so much that God the Son came to Earth wrapped in human flesh and was born of a virgin girl, and chose to dwell among us: Emmanuel—God with us. My mind cannot comprehend such love.

All of the inns were full when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, but a kind man offered them his stable. It was there that Mary gave birth to God's Son. She tenderly wrapped Jesus, the first Christmas gift, not with colorful paper topped with a bow, but in strips of cloth. Their surroundings were not festive with twinkling lights; she laid the long-awaited Messiah in the animal's straw-filled feeding trough, most likely with animals watching the wonder.

This Christmas, do not let the busyness of the season make you miss the reason why we celebrate this season; without Jesus, there is no Christmas. Pause and let God remind you of the wonders of His creation and the greatest gift ever given to mankind:

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die for us, and everyone who receives His gift—believes in and trusts Him—will experience everlasting life with Him in Heaven (John 3:16).

Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas as we celebrate our Savior's birth, not only on December 25th, but every day.