Yesterday we had a wonderful time with family. All three of our children were here and our three youngest grandchildren were too!
We were missing the older grandchildren, their spouses and our two great grands.
A neighbor came and took some pictures, Dave grilled burgers, and we sat around the fire laughing and loving. It was the best gift exchange ever.
There were no boxes to open. Everyone shared the same gift – the gift of love for family.
Isn’t that what God the Father and Jesus did that first Christmas?
“ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV
God loved and He gave his Son. Jesus loved and He gave his life.
“ Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed. 25 You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives.” I Peter 2:24-25 ERV
This was an amazing exchange. He took our sins and gave us His life. He took on hell so we could have an eternal home in heaven. He took our grief and carried our sorrows so that we could have His peace and be filled with joy.
“This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.” I John 4:9-10 ERV
Let’s not lose sight of the importance of that first, most wonderful, exchange that God initiated on our behalf. He gave what was of greatest value – His Son.
“We love Him because He loved us first.” I John 4:19 NLV
So now let’s exchange gifts with the Father. Let’s give Him our undying love!