Creator, Father, King #359

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today is the big day—the day that everyone has been waiting for all year! No matter who you are, how old you are, or where you’re from, Christmas is special.

There is no other annual holiday when so many people across the earth gather together to celebrate with family and friends. Some celebrations are sacred; others are secular. Regardless, Christmas brings people together and creates traditions in ways that few other things can.

Speaking of traditions, have you dashed down to see what’s under the tree and yanked your stocking off the mantle yet? If we’re completely honest, one thing we love most about Christmas is the gifts! Who doesn’t love getting stuff?

A gift is a wonderful thing. It’s something willingly given to someone without expectation of payment. This, of course, is a beautiful description of God’s love toward us.

What’s It Mean?

God’s love toward us is hard to describe because it’s so big. You can’t wrap it up and put a holiday bow on it. But it’s real, it’s amazing . . . and it’s completely free.

You did nothing to earn God’s love. You can’t work for it like a paycheck, merit it like a Boy Scouts badge, or qualify for it like a sports championship. God gives it to you as a free gift of his grace through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t expect you to pay for the gift of his love. You can’t! That’s why Jesus came. You were utterly helpless to earn righteousness before God on your own. So Jesus did it for you through the Cross.

When you trust in Jesus, God lovingly showers you with gifts from his storehouse of heavenly riches:

• unending supplies of his mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16)
• the indwelling of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• freedom from sin’s bondage (Romans 6:6)
• access to spiritual peace that “exceeds anything we can understand” (Philippians 4:7)
• eternal life in his presence (John 3:16)
• and so much more!

God’s love is like opening a gift of spiritual treasures that never ends. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving!

On this very special day, as you give and receive gifts, remember the supreme demonstration of God’s love toward you, expressed through “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (today’s verse). He is our greatest gift!

Now What?

Prayerfully meditate on the verses listed above about God’s gifts to us.

Did You Know?

God’s love for us is so great, biblical writers strained to adequately describe it. See Psalm 103:11 for an example.