The Greatest Christmas Gift of All

Jesus Christ is God revealed in a human body (Colossians 1:19, 2:9); fully divine and fully human, but without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He was with God the Father from eternity past, before the creation of all things. (Colossians 1:16-17, John 1:1-3)

He is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. (Matthew 17:5, Luke 3:22, 2Corinthians 13:14) Yet, He stepped down from the glory and majesty He shared with God the Father in heaven, to be born in a stable. He taught us how to live by the things He said and the example He set for us.

Then, He died by crucifixion – a death the Romans reserved for the worst of criminals and traitors. In so doing, He took our sins upon Himself, and He died in our place. (2Corinthians 5:21) Afterward, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. (1Corinthians 15:20) We can have eternal life in the very presence of God because He did these things for us.

Scripture shows us that the Christmas story can be viewed as including Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and glorification. It ends with the glorification of Jesus Christ, and the promise that those who believe in Him will one day share His glory.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV) [1]

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 NIV) [2]

Let’s pause then, during our busy Christmas activities, to remember that salvation is the greatest Christmas gift of all. If you don’t have it, all you must do to receive it is to believe in Jesus. (John 3:16-21) Get the gift of salvation for Christmas.

 

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/niv/philippians/2.htm

[2] https://biblehub.com/esv/romans/8.htm