December 2003 Devotional

 Are you ready for Christmas?  I’m not.  Actually, I almost am, but I still like to wait until that very last minute to find my final gift.  Something about running around the mall with a million other people in the heat of the moment, with Christmas carols playing on the intercom and everyone dashing to find just that right gift.  It’s exciting and impacting.  A gift is so important.

Jesus knew that when he planned his gift for you this Christmas.  It’s the same gift he offers you year after year, but it’s still the most amazing one you’ll ever receive.  Because you see, it’s God himself.  And who can say no to that?

Wow.  Just think of it.  God, in his infinite wisdom, thinking in his heart what he’ll get you for Christmas.  A new bike?  A new job?  Maybe a new friend or lover?  Or how about a cute puppy dog?  Nice.  Great, in fact.  But not enough.  You see, God wants to give you his very best.  So after pondering this deeply, he decides to give you the most wonderful gift of all.  Himself.  All wrapped up in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger.  Because nothing, no nothing, can ever be so wonderful, so special.

A baby is always incredible; a cuddly package of joy.  But this was more than just a baby.  This was – and is – the Savior of the World.  About 700 years before this remarkable birth, the prophet Isaiah spoke these predictive words:

“The Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel.”  (Isaiah 7:14).  The word Immanuel means God with us.  God gave us the most incredible gift ever – himself.

In order to understand how amazing this gift truly is, you need to take a serious look at humanity throughout the ages.  Starting with the creation of mankind in the Garden of Eden, God chose to bless humans – man and woman – with a phenomenal life filled with everything they could possibly want – and God himself.  But quickly they rejected this and turned away from God.  We call this “sin,” and it’s an epidemic that still plagues us today.  Though God was hurt and angry, he forgave them.  The pattern is repeated again and again, and while God is certainly justified in his punitive actions, he most often chooses mercy and love, demonstrating forgiveness toward human beings who both don’t deserve it nor appreciate it.

This cycle occurs over and over until it touches your life and mine.  And like our forefathers and mothers, we make the very same mistake by elevating ourselves and putting God aside.   But despite his justice and righteousness and his relenting hatred of evil, still he finds it in his heart to love us, accept us, and draw us to himself.  In fact, we are told in scripture, it is his kindness that attracts us to him.  God’s loving heart is simply irresistible.

So this Christmas, as you rush to find that perfect gift, take a moment to consider the most incredible gift of all; the most undeserved gift ever; the most beautiful gift one could ever receive.  The gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…the steadfastness of our Heavenly Father…and the ever-present comfort of his Holy Spirit.  And draw near the manger where it all started.  Drop everything and open your arms wide to receive.  And come get your Christmas presence.

Love,

Lisa Kinakin