The Gift

At the heart of Christmas lies a truth so profound that we could spend lifetimes exploring it and never reach its depths: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. This message takes us beyond the familiar nativity scene to understand the staggering weight of divine love and sacrificial giving. When we examine John 3:16 through fresh eyes, we discover that God's love isn't based on emotion or feeling—it's an unconditional, sacrificial love that leads to action. This love compelled God to give not just anything, but His very best, His Son, for people who didn't deserve it and couldn't earn it. The Christmas story from Luke 2 becomes more than a historical account; it becomes the ultimate demonstration of value. We measure worth by what something costs, and God paid the highest price imaginable. This challenges us to reconsider our own giving—not just monetary offerings, but the gift of ourselves. The message calls us to reciprocal giving, recognizing that when we truly receive God's gift, there's an inward, automatic response to give back. Our assignment isn't complicated: find someone to bless this week, and create an altar space in our homes where we can lay ourselves down as living sacrifices. Christmas isn't just a season to celebrate; it's a call to become the gift ourselves.