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"Thanks be to God for his indescribable
gift!"
2 Cor. 9:15
Christmas brings us many precious gifts. Therefore,
instead of worrying about the gifts we should buy and give this Christmas, let us consider those gifts God is offering to
us through His special GIFT - through Jesus Christ. God's gifts are joy, peace and redemption from eternal condemnation.
JOY is the first precious gift, which Christmas brings
us. Even today in the midst of great hatred, suffering and chaos, which we see all over this world, we hear the voice of God's
angel reminding us again of the news that he told to the shepherds of Bethlehem many years ago when he announced the birth
of Jesus, saying, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people." (Luke 2:10) These words bring us the same blessings and encouragement today as they brought to mankind almost
2000 years ago. Suffering people today also want to hear the words of hope, joy and encouragement in order to conquer disappoitment,
pain and fear. But I am not talking here about temporal cheerfulness, because God offers us a lasting joy.
This joy comes from knowing God's will, believing His Word, and from walking in His way. Some people think
that they could only win several million dollars in a lottery or if they became successful in business, they would be happy.
This may be true in some cases. But we are not talking about circumstantial happenings, which might or might not bring happiness.
We are talking about the true and lasting joy, as we see it in Nehemiah 8:10b, which says
that "the joy of the Lord is our strenght."
Only God's joy can turn our sadness into gladness and
our tears into laughter and praise. Proverbs 17:22, also reminds us that cheerfulness and joy are as helpful as good medicine.
It is interesting to notice that for several days
at Christmas time almost all people are filled with extraordinary joy. They sing happy carols and hymns of praise; they send
Christmas cards and give gifts to each other. One of the favourite Christmas carols is "Joy to the World!" It was written
by Issac Watts in the 17th century.
This carol talks about the meaningful joy and true happiness
which can be ours because Christ the Lord came to our earth as Savior and King. This knowledge fills us with a lasting joy.
Many other carols express similar feelings of great joy and of lasting happiness.
Have you noticed, how at Christmas time, alsmost all people
are filled with deep love, patience, respect and joy? Even people who had not talked with each other for some time, at
home, at work or in the neighbourhood, at Christmas time shake hands and embrace each other as they repeat the familiar
greeting "Merry Christmas!" For some unexplainable reason, Christmas, for several days, removes prejudice, selfishness
and hatred. In some instances the joy of Christmas even silences guns and may briefly stop war and fighting.
But let us stop and think about it, dear friend. Why
do people at Christmas change for a while, and what fills them with this extraordinary joy? Certainly it is not the Christmas
tree, with its colored lights. Nor is it the result of the festive season with much food and drinks, material gifts and a
few days off from work and school. Every Christmas person knows that true joy and lasting happiness is the result of the coming
of Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas. Yes, our colored lights keep on reminding us that Jesus is the Light
of the World (John 8:18), and different gifts show us that He is God's indescribable gift, (2 Cor. 9:15) and that He
is God's gift for everybody. (John 3:16) Everyone may have Jesus just by accepting Him. (John 1:12)
Therefore, we have this meaningful joy because as the angel of the Lord tells ud: "Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
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PEACE is the second important gift which Christmas
brings us. The angelic choir sang loud and clear on that night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This great company of angels
praised God on that great and glorious night. They said: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those
with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14) Oh how our world today needs this gift of peace! Yet it is offered to all mankind
if they are willing to receive it. Yes, all who are willing to have God's lasting peace may have
it, because Jesus says: " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you..." (John 14:272) How precious is this
promise and how encouraging is this God's offer to all who are willing to receive it.
The prophet Isaiah said, about 800 years before
the birth of Jesus, that God "will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in God." (Isaiah
26:3) This peace is even more precious today when we see that fighting and war is accelerating throughout the world. Even
though our diplomats are trying their best to achieve a lasting peace in several warring countries, through negotiations and
conferences, we have no peace. Fighting, destruction, death, sorrow and suffering are multiplying all over this world. Futhermore,
many people face unrest and struggle in their own minds and hearts, or face unrest in their families and at work. If this
is your situation, hear these encouraging words of God. They are for you! Listen as He says: "Be still, and know taht I am
God. (Psalm 46:10) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
Therefore, I would say that today it is not a question of how to find peace on
earth among the nations, but rather how to find and keep peace in our hearts. Heed Christ's advice
and accept His peace as He is offering it to you, when He says: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."
(John 14:27) Accept God's peace as you accept any other Christmas gift, and be thankful. After you accept God's gift - Christ
the Lord - live in accordance with His will. Alloe God's Holy Word, the BIBLE, to be your guide and His HOLY SPIRIT
to be your helper. This will fill you with everlasting peace and tranquillity. Remember also taht the world cannot give
you true and lasting peace, but neither can the world take it away from you. May this truth fill you with peace, praise and
serenity.
On one occasion artists were asked to paint a picture which described perfect peace.
Several of them responded to this invitation. Some artits created beautiful scenes of quiet lakes. Others had mountains with
freshly fallen snow. Looking at these pictures one could almost feel calmness and tranquillity. Yet the first prize was awarded
to the artist who painted a rishing waterfall with the branch of a tree over it. On that branch was a nest with the mother
bird sitting in it undisturbed. This picture expressed true inner peace and quietness. God gives similar peace to all who
place themselves in His care. The apostle Peter also reminds us of this great promise when he says: "Cast all your anxiety
on him [on God] because he cares for you," (1 Peter 5:7).
The third precous gift which Christmas brings us is redemption from our
sins and from eternal condemnation. Jesus Himself states that "the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
(Luke 19:10) Romans 8:1, reassures us that "there in now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
We know that most people are afraid. Some are afraid of illness and death while others fear unemployment, war and suffering.
Most people live in constant fear of an unknown and uncertain future. We have inherited this fear from our forefather Adam,
who said as he tried to hide himself from God, after he ate the forbidden fruit: "I hear you in the garden, and I was afraid
because I was naked... " (Genesis 3:10) Christmas brings us this very precious gift of victory over fear. Let us hear again
those encouraging words of God's angel as he announces the birth of the Redeemer on that glorious Christmas night in Bethlehem.
He says: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David
a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ th Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) Savior here literally means Redeemer,
Delivere and Rescuer. Christ came in order to free us and to save us from sin, from fear
and from eternal condemnation. Therefore we rejoice at Christmas time, not because of material gifts, but because of God's
GIFT because if Christ our Redeemer and Lord.
Finally we see that Christmas brings us that special gift, or as the apostle Paul
calls Him the INDESCRIBABLE GIFT. (2 Cor. 9:15) Let us remember that this statement was made by the
apostle PAul who was an excellent speaker. If anyone was an able teacher and writer who had a very good selection of words,
it was this servant of Christ. We see Paul's ability with words in all his epistles. By his excellent speech in Athens, Paul
aroused the interest and curiosity of many philosophers and diplomats. After they heard him speak about the resurrection,
they said: "We want to hear you again on this subject." (Acts 17:32) And when Paul speaks about his heavenly visions and revelations
from the Lord, he states that he is not permitted to tell what he has seen. (2 Cor.12:1-5)
To be Born Again
occurs when a person repents of their sins and places all 100% of
their trust in Jesus for their salvation.
(John 3:3-7 and
1 Peter 1:23)
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