1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”
On Christmas morning it gives me such joy to watch the expressions of surprise and delight on the faces of each family member as they open their gifts from my husband and me. So that I don’t miss a moment of the fun, I would much rather put my gifts aside until the end and then unwrap my own surprises later.
When God sent His Son, Jesus came already unwrapped, fully visible; His coming that was foretold by the prophets was fulfilled; the mystery was no longer hidden; the revelation to humankind was finally revealed. This gift—the Greatest Gift—shouldn’t be a surprise to us. We are reminded every year at Christmastime of this incomparable Gift, already unwrapped for you and me. When God’s son was born, the Father issued a birth announcement, and named Him Jesus, which means Emmanuel, “God with us.” The angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” God is here with us, He loves us, and invites us to be part of His family through His Son.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus, Who was born on Christmas Day, died on the cross for us and was raised to give us new life. You have given us the Greatest Gift we could ever receive. We pray that many would open Your free Gift today. For Your sake we pray. Amen.
