THE GREATEST GIFT

John 3:16 -17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The above scripture verses reveal the greatest gift given to each individual that has ever been born. God loved each of us so much that He sent His Son to redeem us, and He revealed this plan to the serpent, Adam, and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This revelation occurred after Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God met with them and the serpent and told the serpent, “Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:14-15)  The woman’s seed was Jesus whom God would allow the enemy to crucify. Then God would resurrect Him from the dead in three days.

Approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years later, Isaiah prophesied of the arrival and nature of Jesus’ reign in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Also, in Isaiah 9:6-7 ^“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. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Finally, after another 700 years, the prophecies of Isaiah came to pass, and humanity received the greatest gift. A virgin named Mary, who was espoused to a man named Joseph, was impregnated by the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Jesus in the city of Bethlehem, where his earthly parents had travelled to pay their taxes. There was no room in the inn for them to stay, so baby Jesus was born in a barn. His mother wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

That night an angel appeared to the shepherds who were watching over their flock in the field and said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Following this proclamation, a multitude of the heavenly host was seen, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

Though we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, there has been speculation about whether that is His actual birth date. What is important to remember is not the controversy over the date, but that prophecy was fulfilled and that Jesus was born. Besides the reception of the greatest gift, at no other time in the history of the world was a gift given that benefited everyone like this one. Therefore, let us not only celebrate Jesus’ birth around the Christmas season but throughout the year, realize we are blessed because we are partakers of the greatest gift.