The best of all gifts

565 the best of all giftsIt was the most elaborate wedding of the year and the millionaire father of the bride did not mind, so that the wedding of his first-born daughter would be an unforgettable event. The most important people of the city were on the guest list and the gift list was sent along with the invitations to all guests. On the big day, the guests came by the hundreds and delivered their gifts. The bridegroom, however, was neither rich nor from a wealthy family. Notwithstanding that the father was very rich, the guests brought very exclusive gifts, which served mainly to impress the father of the bride.

When the couple moved into their small apartment, they started unwrapping the presents to find out which guest gave them what. Although there was little space in her apartment to store all of the presents, there was one present that the bride was dying to unwrap - her father's present. After unpacking all the large boxes, she realized that none of the wonderful gifts had been from her father. Among the smaller packages was a present wrapped in brown wrapping paper, and when she opened it, she realized it contained a small leather-bound Bible. The inside read: "To our beloved daughter and son-in-law for the wedding of mom and dad". Below that were two passages from the Bible: Matthew 6,31–33 and Matthew 7: 9–11.

The bride was very disappointed. How could her parents give her a Bible? This disappointment lingered for the next few years and continued after her father's death. A few years later, on the day of his death, she saw the Bible her parents had given her for her wedding and took it from the bookshelf, where it had been since then. She opened the first page and read: “To our beloved daughter and son-in-law for the wedding. From mom and dad ». She decided to read this passage in Matthew 6, and when she opened her Bible, she found a check with her name on it and it was worth one million Swiss francs. Then she read the passage from the Bible: “Do not worry about this and say: What are we going to eat? What shall we drink What will we dress in? The heathen seek all of this. For your Heavenly Father knows you need all of these. If you strive first for the kingdom of God and for his righteousness, it will all fall to you »(Matthew 6: 31–33). Then she turned the page and read the following verse: “Who among you men who, when he asks for bread, offers his son a stone? Or, if he asks him for a fish, offer a snake? If you, who are wicked, can nevertheless give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him "(Matthew 7,9-11). She started to cry bitterly. How could she have misunderstood her father so wrong? He loved her so much, but she just didn't realize it - what a tragedy!

A much too nice gift

In a few weeks the world will celebrate Christmas again. Many worry about which gift to buy for which family member. Many are already wondering what gifts they will receive this year. Unfortunately, only a few know the Christmas present that they have long since received. The reason they don't want to know about this gift is that it was a swaddled child in a crib. Just as the wedding couple considered the brown paper and their Bible to be worthless, so too many people ignore the gift that God has given us through Jesus Christ. The Bible sums it up as follows: "We thank God for his Son - a gift so wonderful that it cannot be put into words!" (2. Corinthians 9,15 New Life Bible).

Even if your parents give you beautiful gifts for this Christmas, you have also given them the sin. Yes, you will die! But before blaming your parents for it, realize that their parents received the sin from their own parents, who in turn received it from their ancestors, and ultimately from Adam, the forefather of humanity.

There is good news though - it is great news in fact! This message was brought to shepherds by an angel 2000 years ago: «I bring good news for all people! The Savior - yes, Christ the Lord - was born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David »(Luke 2,11–12 New Life Bible). The Gospel of Matthew also tells of a dream Joseph had: «She, Mary, will give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from all sins" (Matthew 1,21).

You shouldn't put aside the most precious gift of all. In Christ life and his birth pave the way for his second coming. When he comes again, “He will wipe away all your tears, and there will be no more death and sorrow and crying and pain. For the first world, with all its calamities, is gone forever »(Revelation 21,4)

Wise this Christmas, like the wise men of the Orient, and open your Bible and discover the all-changing message of the gift that God gives you. Accept this gift, Jesus, for Christmas! You can also pass this magazine as a Christmas present and it may become the most important of all the gifts you have ever given away. The recipient can thus get to know Jesus Christ, because in this packaging is the greatest treasure!

by Takalani Musekwa