The ideal Christmas gift, first of all, must say something about the giver. The gifts we give to others tell them how special we consider them to be. What we give to others gives them an idea of our tastes, our generosity, and our carefulness in selecting the gift. Our gifts to others say something about us, like it or not.
Second, the ideal Christmas gift must say something about the needs of the person who receives it. An ideal gift must be meaningful as well as useful. A baseball glove probably would not be very useful to your wife, nor would your husband appreciate receiving a bottle of Chanel No. 5! But if your dad likes to read for relaxation, a good book would be a useful gift. If your mother's feet get cold easily, then a thick pair of socks might be ideal. Considering the needs of those you love is a good way to pick out the ideal gift for them.
But stop and think just a minute. The Ideal Christmas Gift has already been given, when God sent His Only Son! Take these same two marks of an ideal gift and apply them to Jesus: do they fit?
Of course they do! First, the gift of God's Only Son says something about the Giver. It says that God loved the people of the world so much that He was willing to become one of us. It says that God is intimately interested in every one of us. And it says a whole lot more.
The Gift of God's Son also says something about the needs of those who receive Him. Like it or not, we all have sinned. Left to ourselves, we cannot please God, which is in itself a colossal need. Jesus meets that need that providing eternal life to those who receive Him.
Yes, Jesus is the Ideal Christmas Gift! And God offers Him to you--today. Won't you receive the Gift of God--eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord?
--Rocky Henriques, www.uticabc.com