The Gift of all Gifts

                                     

 Man had fallen! The wonderful creation, that God had formed with His own hands and given the breath of life to, had succumb to the deceptive trap of the enemy. A merciless foe, whose main goal was to destroy all of God’s creation by any means necessary, had successfully caused Eve to be deceived. Satan, who was once called Lucifer, was a beautiful angel in Heaven, but gave in to pride by desiring to set himself above the God of the universe. In an evil attempt to overthrow his Creator, he caused a war in Heaven, which resulted in him and 1/3 of the angels who followed him to be kicked out.

 

Therefore, his only means for revenge was to cause man to sin by disobeying the one command that was given in the Garden of Eden. That small directive was to leave just one simple tree alone. Unfortunately, the devil caused Eve to believe that God was purposely keeping something from her that she deserved to have. She listened to his lies, touched, ate the forbidden fruit, and also gave some to her husband, Adam. As a result, Adam and Eve had to leave the beautiful garden that was once their home. Nevertheless, that was not the end of the story. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (NIV)

 

     God, knowing the beginning from the end, knew that man would be eternally lost and separated from Him forever if He did not take drastic measures. This plan would be the hardest thing that He would ever do. A plan that if unsuccessful, would mean the eternal demise of His whole creation. A plan, which if successful, would be the salvation of a planet brought down to ruins by Satan, who caused nothing but pain, misery, death, and confusion. Therefore, God decided that He would make the ultimate sacrifice. This mission of salvation meant sending His only son, Jesus, to a world that would not only reject Him, but give him the worst treatment known to man. He would pay a debt that he never charged. He would be betrayed even though He was a loyal friend. He would be found guilty of a crime that he never committed. He would be mocked even though he only spoke words of kindness. He would be beaten even though his hands only healed. He would be spit upon even though he only gave living water. He would be given a crown of thorns even though he offered others a heavenly crown. He would be crucified, so that he could give eternal life. He would die hated even though he gave the ultimate gift of love.

 

 

 

          Many people around the world celebrate Christmas in honor of Jesus’ birthday. There had to be a birth in order to have a death and resurrection to save the human race. A young maiden, Mary, was chosen to be the vessel through which the Son of God would come. Luke 1:31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. (NIV) Joseph, to whom Mary was engaged, was also chosen to be Jesus’ earthly father, but God was his Heavenly Father. Through an act of love, God gave His only son, Jesus, as a sacrificial gift to the world. Due to God’s selfless act, all who follow Christ will one day be able to live with Him forever as He originally planned with no threat of fear, sadness, grief, sorrow or death. Sin robbed us of beholding God’s best for us, but Jesus made it possible for that hope to be restored. Due to sin, we would have been lost forever, but because of Jesus, we can live with God for eternity. A life lost was a life gained and now, we have the gift of eternal life. Remember this Christmas, God’s free Gift of Salvation. No gift can compare to the Gift of love that we have received from the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord – the Gift of all Gifts.