December 25th is Jesus’ birthday. But, why do we get all the gifts?
Many of us not only receive gifts from Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, and others, but we also buy presents for ourselves.
My husband has a Christmas tradition. He wraps his Black Friday deals and places them under the Christmas tree. No gift tags are needed. He knows which packages are from him to him.
It’s a tradition to buy and exchange gifts during Christmas. What will we give Jesus?
Some would say, Jesus doesn’t need anything on Christmas Day, or any other time, because he’s in heaven. There is no lack or need in heaven.
That’s true.
And even while on earth, Jesus cared little for things or stuff. He needed only his daily provisions, no more or less.
In contrast, we enjoy the needs and comforts of today, plus store up for tomorrow. It’s not unusual for some people to start shopping on January 1st for December 25.
Hey! There’s no need to buy anything for Jesus.
Jesus wants us to help the least one of our neighbors, but not just at Christmas. And when we share, we give to Jesus.
After all, Christmas is the joy of giving.
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh on the first Christmas morning. They were gifts to a baby who was born and given to be the savior of the world.
When we exchange gifts, let’s not forget that Jesus, God’s Son, is the greatest gift of all. Don’t forget to keep Jesus Christ in Christmas.
Today, what could we possibly give Jesus, who now sits on the right hand of God?
Our gift to God can be no less than our life in service to him.
Christ-like hearts, working hands, and ministering souls are the best gifts to Christ—even better than rubies, diamonds, and gold.
Jesus didn’t need earthly treasures. His hands performed miracles instead of procuring stuff and money.
One day, Jesus had to pay a tax collector but didn’t have any money. Jesus didn’t get the money from Judas, or another disciple. He told Peter, a great fisherman, to get the money out of a fish’s mouth.
Peter obeyed Jesus.
Peter went to the sea, cast his hook, caught the fish, and took the coin out of its mouth. The fish was a safety deposit box, a piggy bank, and a vessel used by the Son of God to do his will.
Jesus doesn’t need our material gifts; the wealth of the world is in his hands. Obedience to Jesus is better than any gifts or sacrifice we could give.
Jesus wants us to be a willing vessel in obedience and love. He is our perfect example of goodness and love.
On his mother’s side of the family, Jesus was a citizen of the known world. But through his father’s genes, he didn’t belong to our country.
As the Word, he is one with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is divine. As a man, he became the begotten son of God and appeared in the flesh of human nature.
Colossians 1:15 (KJV) says, “Who [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”
You and I had no say-so in our birth. But Jesus voluntarily left his former majesty and divinity to become like men.
Jesus stepped out of eternity into time. Out of majesty into humility. Out of prosperity into poverty to be born on Christmas Day.
Hebrews 2:17 (KJV) says, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
Every day can be called Christmas. Each day is a gift, a new beginning.
Remember, Christ is the gift that keeps on giving.
Have a Merry Christmas!