“THE GIFT OF JESUS”

Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and good king. He loved his people. He wanted to know how they lived. He wanted to know about their hardships. Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar, and went to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited thought that he was their ruler. One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, "I am your king!" The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor, but he didn't. Instead he said, "You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the course food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!" The King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave himself to you and me. The Bible calls Him, "the unspeakable gift!" (Source Unknown)

Jesus came to us from his palace in heaven in the form of child, a child that would soon save us from our sins.  Jesus ate with us and drank with us and expected nothing in return.  And when his work was finished Jesus gave himself totally so we could experience salvation.

With everything we feel we have to do, we often forget what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.  Christmas carols began playing in department stores right after Halloween.  We feel we have to find the perfect gifts for family and friends no matter how long it takes or how exhausting it is.  By the time Christmas arrives we are so stressed out we don’t know what to do with ourselves.  But it is time to get back to the true meaning of Christmas.  It is about the simple birth of our Savior who came to save us.  So this Christmas Season let us try to focus on the birth of Jesus and not allow the distractions of our world to overcome us.

God’s Peace,
Pastor Chris