I Think I Forgot To Buy A Gift

As we have gone through the city, we have seen the rush of the Christmas season in both automobile and check-out traffic.  In some areas, this phenomena began before Thanksgiving Day arrived!  Yet, people continue to go out and search for all the right gifts for friends, loved ones, and even some co-workers.  However, toward the end of the season, on Christmas Eve, few people realize that they forgot a gift ... the most important one of all ... a gift for Christ Jesus.

I am guilty as charged!  I forgot to add Christ Jesus to my shopping list, and get Him a gift.  After all, is He not the true "reason for the season"!  How could I do such as thing after all the work He went through to give me His gift.  He humbled Himself by coming to Earth as a baby and then grew-up and matured into adulthood, for one purpose ... to demonstrate His great love as He innocently died on a cross for my sins ... so that I could receive His gift ... eternal life.  Wow!  

Well, if I think about it, there are several things that I could offer as a gift to Christ Jesus.  I could give more money to church ministries, the poor, and the homeless too.  I could also be kinder to other people, including the people who cut me off at the check-out counter and traffic lanes.  I could go more frequently to Sunday service, read the Bible, and pray more.  Maybe Christ Jesus would like one of these things as my gift to Him ... maybe.

Even though all of the things I listed are good, they don't match the essence of Christ Jesus.  As a born-again Christian, I am bound to Him through His blood.  He is now my Lord and Savior; I am now his bond-servant.  As such is the case, I am bound to serve Him as He leads me to do so.  Hence, I have to be attentive and heed to His instructions.  Therefore, the best gift that I can offer Him is my obedience to His standards and sharing with others the love that He has shown me.  

Perhaps you are not a born-again Christian.  Yet, you know about Christ Jesus and some of the great things He did while He was on Earth.  However, you've never made a whole-hearted effort to meet with Him nor establish a personal relationship with Him.  Perhaps you would like to offer Him a gift this year:  You may offer Him your open-heart.  You may begin by conversing with Him (just as you converse with those that are close to you)  and listening to His reply (e.g. by reading the Bible).  As you seek Him whole-heartedly, He will draw close to you.  When the time is right, in accordance to His great plan for Your life, He will present to you the opportunity of a lifetime: eternal life.  When that time comes, I want to encourage you to accept this gift; invite Him into Your heart, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and accept Him as the Lord and Savior of your life.  

I do need to warn you though.  If you decide to make this commitment, your life will never be the same.  You will see life through a different perspective.  You will face challenges and conflicts unlike any others you have encountered.  Yet, I encourage you to press forward with this commitment.  He is all that you need.  He will be with you always, no matter where you are nor what you are going through.  I encourage you to put your trust in Christ Jesus, and leave the results to Him!

Let us pray:  God, You Who are Great Grand, thank You for sending Christ Jesus into this World so that I may receive His gift of eternal life.  Thank You for offering me the opportunity to establish a relationship with Him and receiving His gift.  Please continue to help me as I seek more of Him and try to serve Him well in all that I do.  In Jesus name I pray ... Amen.