The Greatest Gift Ever
Gifts and gifts and more gifts. Many (including me) bemoan the commercialization of Christmas. Without making deliberate effort, it is possible to navigate through the entire Christmas season and never hear a word about the Christ child.
Instead, we hear about grand gifts like a new automobile or stunning jewelry. We see ads for mind-blowing sales and every kind of astonishing toy imaginable. We see Santa, his sleigh, and his reindeer. We are inundated with music about sleigh bells, white Christmases, Santa coming down the chimney for a visit, and how cold it is outside.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16, ESV
Though I stopped watching the NFL about fifteen years ago, I do recall that it is difficult to go through an entire game without seeing some guy in the front row of the end zone with a sign that reads “John 3:16.” I have no idea how effective that is as an evangelistic tool.
As we slide into the Christmas season, and as you are about to be deluged by everything Christmas that has nothing to do with Christ, it is appropriate for us to pause, refocus, and ponder the ultimate gift ever given. In the incarnation, God gave himself for a stubborn, rebellious people. He loved us though we despised him and proved our unworthiness.
Our sin and need for redemption ran deeply, but his love for us ran deeper still.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
– John 16;13, ESV
God’s supreme love vanquished our most catastrophic need before we even realized we had such a need.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
– Romans 5:8, ESV
Beyond the ultimate gift of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, God’s giving continues. He gives, and gives, and gives.
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
– Romans 8:32, ESV
That’s a valid question—one worth pondering.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
– 1 Timothy 6:17, KJV
The giving of gifts is a prominent theme in the Bible. We find some form of the term “give” well over 2,000 times, beginning with the sun, moon and stars giving light to the earth and ending with Jesus returning, bringing rewards with him to repay each for what he has done.
Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his work.
– Revelation 22:12, LSB
A gift has its desired effect, however, only when it is received and put to use. A gift that is left on the table, unopened is useless to the receiver and a sad outcome for the giver. A cursory look at society reveals the greatest gift in the history of humankind being dismissed, ignored, and disparaged.
Cherish your gift, Christ-follower. The greatest, most precious gift ever given is yours.
