His Gift to Us

When I was growing up, I could hardly wait for Christmas to arrive.  It wasn’t because I received a lot of gifts, but because the two or three presents I did receive were deeply appreciated.  My parents sometimes struggled to make ends meet, yet they always did their best to make Christmas special.  There was a Christmas tree, decorations, and a sense of joy that filled our home.

After all, December 25 is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Because of who He is, everything should be festive and filled with gratitude.  God gave the greatest gift of all when He sent His only begotten Son, who would one day die on the cross for the sins of mankind.  This priceless gift of love was given freely to you and to me.

Jesus did not come in a beautifully wrapped package with a bow on top.  He was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger—a feeding trough used for livestock.  It became His makeshift crib because there was no room for His family at the inn.

The phrase “swaddling clothes” refers to bands of cloth traditionally used to wrap newborn babies.  From what I have read, these were not rags but customary Middle Eastern cloth strips used to comfort infants, regulate their body temperature, and help them adjust to life outside the womb.  This was a common practice throughout the ancient world.

His birth was certainly a humble beginning for the King of kings and Lord of lords—the One whom God sent to become the Savior of all humanity.  His gift to us was given out of compassion and love for lost souls who were destined for eternal separation from Him.

Thank God for Jesus and for His saving power to forgive sin.  Through faith in Him, we are welcomed into God’s family and can be called His children.  What a wonderful gift God has given us through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Written by,

Papa Boyd