(Notes follow the video for the sake of the hearing impaired.)

The holiday we call Christmas is almost here.  We will celebrate the birth of Jesus this coming Saturday.  His birth was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 KJVS.

            [6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

            The prophecy became reality in Luke 1:26-27,31-32 KJVS.

            [26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

            The son was born in Bethlehem.  The shepherds came to find this special baby.  The wise men came to worship the new King of Israel.  Herod tried to kill Him.  God kept Him alive, and He grew to manhood and fulfilled His purpose for being on this earth.  And because He did fulfill His purpose, we celebrate His birth.

            Those who are able to do so will gather with family and friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to possibly have a meal together, enjoy each other’s company or exchange gifts.  The exchanging of those gifts reminds us of the gifts the wise men brought to the baby Jesus that first celebration of His birth.

            The series “Everyday Gifts” has touched on gifts God has given to those who will place their trust in Jesus, whose birth we celebrate this week.  So far we’ve looked at the gifts of enjoying the fruits of our labors, contentment, understanding and our ability to please God.  Allow me a few minutes today to share with you what I consider to be the greatest gift God has given to the followers of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8 KJVS. [8] For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

            Please bear with me as we read a passage from Romans 5 that explains why I believe salvation is the greatest gift.

            Romans 5:14-18 NLT. [14] Still, everyone died-from the time of Adam to the time of Moses-even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. [15] But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. [16] And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. [17] For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. [18] Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

            When Adam disobeyed God by eating that forbidden fruit, he brought spiritual and physical death to mankind.  His spirit was no longer in right relationship with God.  He had come under condemnation because of disobedience.  That condemnation was passed down to all his descendants, and that includes you and me. 

            That condemnation of spiritual death is what we refer to as original sin.  Every one of us is born with original sin, condemnation, because we are descendants of Adam.  Our future is one of spiritual death, and physical death, because we inherited them from Adam, whose disobedience had an effect on all of mankind.

            We celebrate the birth of Jesus because He brought to mankind the gift of salvation from that spiritual, eternal death.  In obedience to the will of God, Jesus gave to mankind the gift of forgiveness of original sin.  He gave to you and to me the fantastic choice to repent of all our sins that exist because of disobedience to God’s will.  He gave to us the gift of spiritual birth through faith in what He accomplished through His death and resurrection to eternal life.  When we repent and ask God to forgive us in faith, we inherit the same eternal life Jesus has.

            The gift of salvation, of forgiveness, of spiritual birth, of eternal life, brings with it exciting results.  The guilt and condemnation are replaced with love and acceptance.  The chains of slavery to sin are broken and replaced with freedom and spiritual liberty.  The fear of the darkness of death is overcome through the promise of life in heaven’s light and glory. 

            Failure is replaced with victory in Jesus.  Weakness gives way to strength in the joy of the Lord.  Doubt is wiped away through the secure promises of God.  Those are benefits of receiving the greatest gift of all.

            No gift we will give to our family or friends this Christmas can compare to the gift of salvation.  Our gifts are temporary and don’t last forever.  The wrapping paper will be thrown away.  The gifts we will give will eventually wear out.  The batteries will need to be replaced.  The novelty of the new present will fade.  The price will be forgotten.

            This isn’t the case with God’s gift of salvation.  He wraps His gift in a grace that will never be discarded.  His love never wears out.  His power to cleanse and forgive do not diminish with use.  His mercies constantly are new every day.  The Father will never forget the price His Son paid so you can be saved.

            Wow!  What a gift this salvation from God is!  What a wonderful, life-changing gift He offers to all who will just believe in Jesus.  During this season we call Christmas, we celebrate how God gives this gift of salvation to anyone who will come to Him in sincerity, admit they need to be forgiven and ask for that forgiveness.  Have you received the gift yet?  If not, today is the day you can open your heart and stretch out your hand to be given the gift of salvation.

            Simply talk to God.  Ask Him to forgive you.  Ask Him to give you new spiritual life.  Ask Him to help you live according to the teachings of Jesus.  Then thank Him for His wonderful gift of salvation.

            If you received the gift of forgiveness, the gift of salvation, please contact us.  We will pray with you and for you as you begin your new life as a follower of Jesus.