The giving of gifts at Christmas is without Scriptural warrant. When confronted with the question of giving gifts, we usually say, “Well, it was always practiced.” Yet to our surprise the practice of exchanging gifts has really no Bible foundation. It is said that the early Christians made presents to their children on Christmas morning under the pretense that they were the gifts of the Christ Child. This practice has become so commercialized that the real meaning of the Christmas story is completely lost. Yet, we know that God gave us the greatest gift that first Christmas when He gave us His only begotten Son. The exchange of gifts was not between God and man. Therefore, Christmas ought to be a time when we acknowledge “… his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Let us for a few moments examine God’s most precious gift to a sinful world. Its value cannot be computed in silver or gold. There is no human evaluation that can be set on Heaven’s most expensive gift to the undeserved sinners.
A PROMISED GIFT
In the dark shadows of Eden, when Adam and Eve were expelled out of the garden, God promised man a glorious gift, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). In this glorious package is wrapped up a promise that the Messiah, born of the virgin, would come and bruise Satan’s head and redeem the human family back to God. The prophet Isaiah catches a glimpse of this generous promise by prophesying, ” … Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son … ” (Isaiah 7:14).Thus throughout the ages the human family looked for the fulfillment of the promised gift.
A PRECIOUS GIFT
“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious …” (1 Peter 2:7). One could almost exhaust the human language to appraise the meaning of the word precious. It must surpass the evaluation of anything in terms of material; be it rubies, diamonds, or gold. This is impossible to appraise. It is Heaven’s best, and who is there that can place a price tag on that which the Father Himself prepared and delivered. Yes, to us who believe, Jesus is very precious. Ask those who have experienced deliverance through His precious blood, and they will all say, “He is precious.”
A PERFECT GIFT
Material gifts, as lovely wrapped and expensive as they may be, are not perfect. They soon lose their luster and become damaged and often destroyed. At best man can only give a perishable gift, that is soon disposed of and even forgotten. But not so with the “perfect gift” that Heaven gives in the person of Jesus Christ. “… This is my beloved Son … ” (2 Peter 1:17) was the Father’s appraisal of His perfection. Sinless gift wrapped up in a napkin of sinless flesh. Like the veil that once wrapped the mercy seat when transported from place to place, so in the veil of sinless flesh, the Father wrapped up “His perfect gift” addressed to us personally in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, when we accept Christ, we instantly receive a perfect redemption and a perfect justification, so that we can be accepted in the beloved. This is God’s perfect gift, and only God can afford so expensive a salvation absolutely free.
A PRICELESS GIFT
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). The Bible says that by no amount of money can this gin be purchased. It is freely bestowed because it is already paid for in full by “… the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1: 19). Salvation cannot be earned; it is given! We are not saved by our good works, but by “… grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). If you have received Christ, you have a “priceless gift” of eternal life right now.
A PERSONAL GIFT
“… to you is the word of this salvation sent” (Acts 13:26). Again Paul says, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).
Dear friend, you need not window shop any longer for the “… unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15), because it is already wrapped up, delivered to your address, and it bears your name. The Holy Spirit delivers this gift to you personally, and it is up to you to accept it or reject it. To those who accept Jesus Christ, you will join the countless millions who throughout the ages have testified, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious … ” (1 Peter 2:7). May this be the happiest Christmas as you accept this ” … unspeakable gift.”