Do you remember the scene in the movie, The Polar Express, where Santa chooses the main boy in the story and asks what he wants for Christmas? The boy could have asked for anything in the world, yet he only asked for a bell from a reindeer’s harness. At this humble request, Santa gives the order to remove a bell, takes the silver treasure, holds it high above the crowd, and announces, “The first gift of Christmas!” before presenting it to the boy.

But that bell was not really the first gift of Christmas.

While we wrap gifts today in colored paper & lay them under a tree, the first gift of Christmas was wrapped in swaddling clothes & laid in a manger.  The true first gift of Christmas was Jesus, Himself — Son of God — Savior of the World.

We give gifts out of human love. The first gift of Christmas was given from the infinite love of God.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

The first gift of Christmas came with no strings attached…no expectation of a gift in return. All the heart of God wanted was for you and me to accept His gift…to believe He loves you…to believe He opened the way for you and me and every other imperfect person to live with Him — perfect God in perfect joy — forever.

The true miracle of Christmas is not what we can save on Black Friday.
The true miracle of Christmas is: the Babe in the manger became the man on the cross on Good Friday. The true miracle of Christmas is that He absorbed our rebellion and poured out forgiveness to all who will receive the gift.

My heart’s desire is that, as you’re wrapping and preparing to give gifts this Christmas, you’ll remember how deeply God loves you. I hope you’ll remember the moment God the Father thought of you and sent His precious Son to save you from an eternity without Him. Even if you don’t get the earthly gift you’ve been wanting this year, I hope you drink deeply of the joy that the God of the Universe loved you enough to wrap up an eternity more perfect and wonderful than you can imagine and deliver it to you. And, if you have not done it yet, I hope you will tell Jesus that you accept His gift. It is infinitely better than the bell from a reindeer harness. It is the most costly, most precious gift you’ll ever receive.

Getting to the Heart of God

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)