"THE GREATEST GIFT"

Luke 2:12: And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

Luke 23:53: Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.

At this time of year many of us spend time buying gifts, wrapping them up, and giving them to those close to us, some of us may buy gifts and wrap them and give them to those we don't even know, who are less fortunate than us. However you celebrate the Christmas season, buying gifts, wrapping them, and giving them away is a big focus.

As I was thinking about this, I was thinking about how the greatest gift any of us have been given was bought, wrapped, and given. Jesus came into this world, wrapped, in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. A gift to all mankind of which I can imagine many during that time didn't realize the gift that was lying in front of them. Many today don't realize the gift that was given on that day. It's up to us, as Christians, to tell them about this gift.

I then began to think about how Jesus died for each one of us. After he had died, the body was taken down from the cross and wrapped and laid in a tomb. On that day the greatest gift of all was bought for us, our sins were bought and paid for on that cross. That gift that was given was then wrapped and laid in a tomb. The best part of the story is that he didn't lay there for long; he rose from the grave and lives today!

There is no greater gift in this world than the one who came into this world, wrapped up for us and who left this world, wrapped up for us. All we have to do is receive this gift. Unwrap the present that was given many years ago for you. It never gets old, it never goes out of style, and it never gets taken off the shelf.

If you've received this gift you know it's the greatest gift you've ever received. If you haven't, I guarantee you there is no gift better than this one. There's no other gift that you will unwrap this season that will give you eternal life, which will give you peace and joy and freedom. If you've never received the gift of Jesus in your life, go ahead, your name is on the tag, it's free and it's been bought just for you.

During the busyness this time of year can bring, don't forget the greatest gift you've ever been given. He came into this world wrapped up for you and died on the cross, was wrapped up and laid in a tomb and rose again just for you. If you never receive another gift, the greatest gift will change your life forever.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!