Read John 1:1-14 (NIV) now, or better yet, read it tonight with your family. As you read, look for the four things Jesus brought to the earth with His first coming. These are His Christmas gifts to you.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Gift of Life – In the book John, the word LIFE is used 37 times, 47 times in the ESV translation of the Gospel of John. Through Jesus, we have TRUE life, ETERNAL life. John proclaims Jesus as the giver of eternal life in verse 4. Jesus is the only giver of life (John 1:4). Jesus is the only giver of life (John 5:24-26; John 11:25-26). Jesus loved us so much that He came to earth to give us LIFE (John 3:16). This gift of eternal life cost Him! Yes, salvation is the true gift of Christmas.
The Gift of Light – Without Jesus, we are dead and dying. We stumble in the world's darkness, and without God, we cannot find our way without Jesus (John 1:4-5). The world claims to know the way, but the TRUE LIGHT is Jesus, who gives light to everyone (John 1:9).
The Gift of Grace – God gave us GRACE as a gift of LOVE. Not because we did anything to earn it, but because He loved us so much (John 1:14). Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins; He did not deserve this suffering. God gives grace when we sin and fall short of His glory. He extends forgiveness when we repent instead of remaining in sin. We receive God's gracious gift of salvation by putting our faith and trust in Jesus (John 3:16-17).
The Gift of Truth – Jesus's birth was to bring us God's truth (John 1:14). While on earth, His time was spent "to testify to the truth" (John 18:37). Many hear the truth but do not accept it. The only way to ETERNAL LIFE is through Jesus Christ. (John 3:31-36).
During this holiday season, we give and receive many gifts. BUT all the expensive gifts in the world do not compare to the four gifts that Jesus has for you. You only have to reach out and accept these gifts. Open them. Embrace them. Share with others.
May God abundantly bless you with His life, light, grace, and truth this Christmas season.
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