Connecting Point: God's Greatest Gift

Christmas will be here before we know it. Time marches forward at the same pace every day. Doesn’t it seem time gets away from us? In all the hustle and bustle of life, it is vital that we slow down. A consequence of not being contemplative is the possibility of missing the truth of Christmas.

On the very first Christmas, at the birth of Jesus Christ, there was a diabolic plot which was intended to disrupt the very plans of God. Humanity often has seen the likes of this. Thwarting the sovereignty of the Almighty wasn’t to be. News spread regarding a prophecy of a new king to be born, and history recorded King Herod’s deep insecurity.

Matthew made record of this, “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea, ’they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel,’” (Matthew 2:3-6).

From the Far East, attracted by a bright star, came three wisemen seeking the child, and Herod, hearing of them, summoned them, and then lied to them, claiming he too wanted to visit the child to show his respect. On traveled the wisemen, finding the babe and mother. Herod ordered the slaughter of males born in the time slot. Now, the wisemen, the Magi, were warned in a dream to flee the country and not report to Herod, and this they did.

We know that God’s greatest gift to the world came through Jesus Christ; the Savior of the world had no ambition to wield political power. His mission was much different but somewhat obscure to the world until years later after his death and resurrection. Jesus came to conquer the grips of sin and spiritual death; this is by far the kindest and most gracious gesture to mankind.

Christmas often losses it meaning in a consumer driven society, likewise, traditionalism alone is not always our friend. The truth of Christmas goes far beyond presents, stockings, lights, trees and yule tidings. Without Christ there may still be Christmas with wonderful social meaning, but it still might miss the greatest meaning of all. The best gift is not found under a tree, but found through salvation in Jesus Christ.