(2 Cor 9:15) “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

Someone has said there are three category of givers. First, there is the flint giver, who has to be hammered just to get chips and sparks. Second, the sponge giver, who has to be squeezed to get anything, and third the honeycomb giver, who just seems to overflow with generosity and sweetness. Which of these categories do you fit in? Obviously, God fits in the honeycomb group. He is continually giving us His very best. At this time of the year we are all looking for just the right gifts for friends and loved ones. Christmas is a time of giving as we remember the greatest gift of all given to us by God the Father. His is the ultimate gift that cannot be expounded in full. It is an indescribable, unspeakable gift, the gift of His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The gift of Christ has many different facets. Let me share just four of them with you. With the gift of Christ comes the

Eternal life is a perpetual, everlasting, forever life. Life without end and life in the very presence of God Himself. This is not to be confused with endless existence. All men and women are eternal, but it is one thing to be with God and an entirely different thing to live apart from Him in Hell. Jesus makes possible eternity with the Father. His sacrifice for our sin provides access to God. Our faith in His finished work, cleanses us from sin and removes the barrier between God and ourselves. This finished work is our guarantee of victory. No one can overthrow this completed work of Christ. We are safe in the arms of Jesus. Have you received this gift? Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior and give you eternal life? “He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12). Then there is the

GIFT OF PEACE (John 14:27)
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

This peace or quietness is a special divine peace. It is not found in the world, and it cannot be given by the world. It is peace with God that gives believers a oneness with Him. The peace of God, that provides security and strength and peace from God that gives confidence and assurance. Fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15) and fear of the future are removed as we place our complete trust in Him. It is as the hymn writer says, “Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin. The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.” Regardless of the turmoil and uncertainty of life, we can experience the peace that Jesus gives in our relationship to Him. Then too there is the

Not only does the gift of Jesus bring eternal life and peace, but there is also rest. The word “labor” in this verse means a tiresome toil, a wearied fatigue. The idea is that all our efforts, no matter how great or exhausting are unable to gain rightness with God. Only Jesus can provide it for us. Come to Me, says Jesus, I have finished the work of salvation and offer My finished work to you. We receive it by faith, not personal effort, but personal trust. We are encouraged to take His yoke on us by identifying with Him. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We who believe enter that rest (Heb 4:3). Remember that wonderful Christmas hymn, “God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.” And finally, there is the

The gift of Jesus comes with the gift of power. It is the power of the Holy Spirit Himself in the believer’s life. Such power cannot be described it must be experienced. One of the ways it manifests itself is in the desire to share with others what Christ as done for us. We become witnesses to His love and grace, His mercy and forgiveness. The Christian shares His testimony that others may come to receive the same blessings by asking Jesus Christ to be Savior in their lives. Do you know Him? Are you sharing His gift to you with others? We are Ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in a world with desperate need.

I read recently of a little girl named Mary who received a dollar as a gift on her fourth birthday. She was so excited, she carried it with her everywhere she went. "What are you going to do with your dollar?" her mother asked. "Take it to Sunday School," said Mary promptly. "To show your teacher?" Mary shook her head. "No," she said. "I'm going to give it to God. He'll be as surprised as I am to get something besides pennies." Are we only penny givers when we have been dollar receivers? Christ gives us all things for now and eternity. Can we do any less that give ourselves for Him that others may come to know and appreciate His love? God help us to meditate on and share the wonderful gift of God this Christmas that all may rejoice. God bless.