The Gift of Jesus--the Most Perfect Gift of all

The Gift of Jesus--the Most Perfect Gift of all

Patricia Ann, Originally posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 

At Christmas time, there is but one gift that matters and that is the gift of a little baby whose birth we celebrate on Christmas day; the gift of Jesus –- the most perfect gift of all.
The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.” Luke 2: 1-20
On the night of Jesus's birth, Mary and Joseph had been traveling for several days from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  When they arrived at Bethlehem, you can imagine how tired Mary must have been. Pregnant with the baby Jesus, she was due to give birth anytime.

They arrived at an inn, only to find that the inn was full and there was no room for them to stay. They were offered a place in the stable with the animals. It was on that night that Mary gave birth to a Son and she named him Jesus, just as the angel Gabriel had told her to do. 
They made a crib for the new baby Jesus in a manger filled with straw.

And on that night, as shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem, an angel appeared to  them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you:. You will find a baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger. Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men!”

When the angels had left them, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see what had happened. They found Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus, lying in the manger. They went off to spread the news of the new baby Jesus. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds had told them.   
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

I think of the life of Jesus. 
His birth was just the beginning…
He was born in human form. Just like us… He was a baby, a toddler, a young child, teenager, young man, and man.  He was loved and cared for by his parents, Joseph and Mary. Yet he was very aware of His father in Heaven and He sought to be in the presence of His Father. 
Jesus operated as a common man. He wasn’t adorned with special attire, not royalty as the people of the time saw their royalty. He was just a carpenter, clothed as a carpenter. He walked and talked among the people of his time as a man.

He just happened to have God as His Father. That made Him special, but the people of his time didn’t take that into account.  So many people didn’t believe who He was. Even members of His own family rejected him.

Still, Jesus shared His love and compassion for mankind in his daily life. He walked with the people, He talked with them, He built furniture as a carpenter. He fished and He offered His help wherever needed. 
Jesus' intentions were always good. 
He loved people. 
His goal was to teach them His Father's word. 
There was so much that He wanted to share with the people in His time. 
Jesus showed miracles by creating wine from water, feeding the multitudes, raising the dead, and healing the sick. Jesus showed the people that He was indeed the Son of God.

Tonight… as we hear the story and celebrate the birth of Jesus, I pray that we see the true story, the truth of His birth, His life and His death on the cross.  
I pray that we see Jesus for the man He was, as well as for our Savior. Then, as we strive to walk as Jesus walked, we may offer the same love and compassion, joy and peace that He offered to everyone He met.
Jesus even tells us in His word that we can do the things that He did and more. That is awesome, but we must believe and have faith in who He is and who we are in Him.

The birth of Jesus was and remains today… the most perfect gift of all time!
Do you know of anyone else who would die for the sins of all people… so that we may live?
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior tonight… may we also remember to honor and glorify Him as our Savior every day of the year.
Be blessed as you enjoy this most precious, perfect gift… by celebrating His birth and giving humble thanks for the gift of salvation which He freely offers to each of us.
There is just one gift that matters; the gift of Jesus – the most perfect gift of all. 

Be blessed and love to all… as Jesus loves.  Amen 
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.