The Greatest Christmas Gift

As Christmas approaches so do thoughts of presents. Our thoughts race as we consider just the right present for our wives or children. Perhaps your mind has done a bit of racing regarding the gift you are hoping for. If you try to rest for more than a moment or two, radios, newspapers, mailboxes, and TVs wave the green flags to get us revved up again.

As blessed as giving and receiving gifts truly are, we must make a significant effort to fix our gaze on the greatest of all Christmas gifts, the Lord Jesus Christ. There are reminders around such as bumper stickers and gift bags, which say things like, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” or “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” Manger scenes and Christmas hymns help us as well. All of these, however, can easily blend into the holiday haze if we are not careful.

If we are to ever think rightly about the season, we must work to do it. Why is the incarnation of God the Son so special? Does the Bethlehem story really make a difference in the year 2008? How does this great gift affect me?

To answer these questions, let’s travel back over 2,000 years ago to the Middle East. In Matthew 1:18-25, the account of Jesus’ birth is recorded. It tells of a young virgin named Mary, who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Before they had had physical relations, the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was pregnant with a child.

Because Joseph was a man of character, he decided to quietly break the engagement with his fiancée, assuming she had been with another man. According to the Law, he could have had her put to death, as their engagement (betrothal) was as serious as a marriage commitment.

While he was thinking through his options (and certainly heartbroken), an angel from God came to him. The angel told him not to divorce his fiancée, because “that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). Certainly Joseph’s head was swimming in a sea of different emotions. Elation, fear, disbelief, joy, shame, and humility must have tossed about the heart of Joseph.

The rest of the angel’s announcement offers great insight into the significance of the gift of Jesus. “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Think about the profound implications of this heavenly message.

The very name Jesus is significant. It means “Yahweh (God’s personal name) saves,” or “Yahweh is salvation.” Even though it was a common name during that day, no one before or since has held that name more appropriately. God is a saving God. His salvation came through the birth of His Son, Jesus.

The angel’s announcement unfolds the reason for the particular name, “for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” The Christmas baby would be a Savior. If a wolf attacked a flock of sheep, they would be defenseless. If their shepherd came to their rescue with his club, he rightly could be called a savior. A savior is anyone who saves a helpless victim from trouble.

Jesus Christ provides deliverance from our greatest peril—sin. Sin is anything we do contrary to God’s laws. It includes our wicked words to our spouse, our bad attitudes on the job, our mixed motives in giving money to church, and our lustful thoughts. Of course other sins like sexual immorality, lying, and stealing also qualify. Sins are a part of every single person’s life since the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 2 and 3), and they carry a big punishment—death and ultimately hell (see Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:11-15).

Two thousand years ago a child was born to save people from their sins. Jesus will save you from both your sinfulness, and from the dreadful consequences of your sins. He provided such a great salvation first by living a completely perfect life while here on earth. The Lord Jesus never sinned one time.

Being God in human flesh and living perfectly qualified Jesus to offer Himself as a substitute for sinners on the cross. In other words, He received the punishment that sinners like you and I deserved. God Himself poured an eternity of wrath upon Jesus as He suffered and then was crucified. Three days later God raised Jesus bodily from the dead, demonstrating God’s complete approval of the sacrifice of Jesus.

Notice one final observation about the angel’s words to Joseph that incredible day. The salvation benefits of Jesus death are not applied to everyone. Matthew 1:21 says, “...it is He who will save HIS PEOPLE from their sins.” The offer of salvation is truly extended to every man, woman, boy and girl in the entire world. Only those, however, who repent of their sins and believe wholeheartedly in the Lord Jesus Christ receive the benefits of His death.

How about you? Are you one of His people? Have you repented from your sins, or are you still reveling in them? Have you placed your trust in Jesus Christ alone, or do you think you are good enough for God on your own? This Christmas make God’s gift of Jesus your own by believing on the Lord Jesus to be saved!

Take a few minutes to really think about the meaning of Jesus Christ coming to earth. Don’t allow the hurry of the holidays to crowd out the best thoughts you can have. Thank God afresh for sending His Son. Worship Christ the newborn King!