At Lancaster Baptist Church, we give “Christmas gifts to Jesus.” It’s an opportunity for us as a church to tangibly give to the Lord whose birthday we celebrate, and it’s a great way for children to be reminded of the real purpose of Christmas.
But the truth is, regardless of the gifts we present to Jesus at Christmas, Christmas really is all about His great gifts to us.
What are the Christmas gifts given from Jesus?
The Gift of His Presence
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.—Matthew 1:23
Let those three words—God with us—sink in. Meditate on the phrase, emphasizing each word a different time.
Christmas means we are no longer alone, and we do not face the needs of our life with human resources. God Himself took on flesh and is with us.
The Gift of His Sympathy
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:15–16
Have you ever been going through something difficult and longed to talk to someone else who knows how you feel? Not only did Jesus come to us, but He cares for us. He felt what we feel and allowed Himself to be tempted with our temptations. And He invites us to cast our cares on Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
The Gift of His Peace
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.—Luke 2:14
The angels said it first—Jesus’ birth brought peace. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and through Him we have both peace with God (Romans 5:1) and the peace of God (Philippians 4:7).
The Gift of His Righteousness
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.—2 Corinthians 5:21
This verse is one of the most astounding verses in the Bible to me. Jesus not only took our sin on Himself at the cross, but He gives us His very righteousness when we trust Him as our Saviour.
The Gift of Eternal Life
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.—John 10:28
Jesus didn’t come just to be a token of God’s love to mankind. He came to give us eternal life. He came to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). He came to pay for the barrier in our relationship with God.
And what this gift of eternal life cost Him! Yes, salvation is the true gift of Christmas.
No wonder the apostle Paul—who never got over the wonder of his own salvation and spent the rest of his life bringing the news of salvation to others—would write, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15)!
Every Christmas gift from Jesus actually is Jesus. He is the unspeakable gift.