God's gift to humanity

In the western world, Christmas is a time when many people turn to giving and receiving gifts. The selection of gifts for relatives often proves to be problematic. Most people enjoy a very personal and special gift that has been selected with care and with a lot of love or made by themselves. In the same way, God does not prepare his tailor-made gift for humanity in the last minute.

"Even before the creation of the world, Christ was chosen as the sacrificial lamb, and now, at the end of time, he has appeared on this earth for your sake." (1. Petr 1,20)Before the foundation of the world was laid, God planned his greatest gift. About 2000 years ago, he revealed to us the wonderful gift of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

God is so kind to every person and expresses his great heart by humbly wrapping his own Son in cloths and laying him in a manger: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2,6-8).
Here we read about the Giver and the extent of his love for us and all humanity. It dispels any notion that God is harsh and merciless. In a world full of suffering, wars, abuse of power, and climate disasters, it is easy to believe that God is not good or that Christ died for others, but not for me. “But the grace of our Lord was abounding all the more, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves to be believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1. Tim 1,15).

In Jesus we find a God we can love, a God who is gracious, kind and loving. Nobody is excluded from God's intention to save everyone through his gift of Jesus Christ, not even those who consider themselves the worst sinners. It is a redeeming gift to sinful humanity.

When we exchange gifts at Christmas, it's a good time to think about the fact that God's gift in Christ is a much bigger exchange than what we give each other. It is the exchange of our sin for his justice.

The gifts we give each other is not the real message of Christmas. It is rather a reminder of the gift that God has given to each of us. God gives us His grace and goodness as a free gift in Christ. The appropriate answer to this gift is to accept it gratefully rather than refuse it. This one gift includes numerous other life-changing gifts, such as eternal life, forgiveness, and spiritual peace.

Perhaps now is the right time for you, dear reader, the greatest gift that God can give you, gratefully accept the gift of his dear Son Jesus Christ. It is the risen Jesus Christ who wants to live in you.

by Eddie Marsh