Christmas Musings, Part 4

Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NKJV)

There will be many Christmas gifts shared between families and friends over the next few days. Many of us will gather for celebrations at various locations. Some of us will even visit multiple locations as we enjoy the cultural events associated with the birth of Jesus, our Savior. These events are not necessarily sinful or evil but we do need to make sure that we don't lose the significance of the "baby in the manger" in the midst of these events.

Can you and I even imagine the total amount of money that will be spent on food, gifts, and travel? But we also have to remember that all of the gifts that we receive are temporary. These gifts will wear out; go out of style, or break very easily. Some of them will wear out quickly and even some of them will be placed in a closet or in a storage bin never to be looked at again. We may even receive a gift that is the wrong size and it will have to be returned or exchanged. There is the possibility that we will even "outgrow" those gifts that fit us at this very moment. I am sharing these tidbits of information to serve as a reminder that any gift other than the gift of salvation is temporary. 

But there is one gift that will never wear out or stop working. There is gift that will not have to be returned for something that works correctly or fits correctly. There is a gift that will provide an eternal value and not just a brief earthly value. There is one gift that will never be forgotten or hidden away for future use. There is a gift that fulfills the promise of "one size fits all."  

Do you realize that Isaiah spoke prophetically about that gift in our scripture passage today. Notice these words from the first line of verse 9. He spoke these words, "Unto us a Son is given..." The Prophet then goes on to describe a few of the benefits that this gift would bring us if we would receive the gift that God has provided for us. Isaiah spoke that the gift would serve as a "Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Now, doesn't that gift sound like one that we could call a "keeper?" I don't see any need to exchange that gift. I don't see any need to place that gift in a closet or in a storage bin for future use. I also see that this gift would be beneficial to any age group, any race, any nationality or any ethnicity, etc. Our Savior fits all people regardless of their needs or stations in life. 

But here is the major question? WILL YOU ACCEPT THE GIFT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU?

MERRY CHRISTMAS