Imperfect Christmas Perfect Gift

The Greatest Gift

By Danny Saavedra

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16 (NKJV)

I think we can all be completely honest with ourselves in admitting that we LOVE receiving gifts! Who doesn’t like getting gifts? It’s awesome. Seriously, what’s not to love about getting cool things from people who care about you? Personally, I love receiving gifts from people. It satisfies my core need for approval and acceptance. Why? Because receiving gifts from people makes me feel as though they truly love, appreciate, and accept me for me. 

Before we get into our study today, let me ask you : what’s the best gift you’ve ever received? I remember the best gift ever given to me as a kid was a Nintendo 64, complete with Super Mario 64. Man, I got so many hours and so much enjoyment out of that console. 

To this day, I still love receiving gifts. But, if I can be honest with you, as an adult—particularly as a father—I’ve noticed something very interesting: I get way more enjoyment out of giving gifts. No gift I’ve received in adulthood has made me feel like I did when I was a kid, but whenever I give my son or daughter a gift they really want, seeing the excitement and happiness on their faces, feeling the crazy, joyful embrace, and hearing “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Daddy!” brings that wonderful, N64-level feeling back for me. 

As I think about the reason we celebrate Christmas today, I’m reminded of Matthew 7:11 (NLT), which says, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” And, man, does our heavenly Father know how to give a gift! 

John 3:16 tells us that God gave His only Son so that all those who believe would receive the gift of eternal life. Romans 8:32 (NIV) further elaborates by saying, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” While 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT) says, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”

Now, why did He give us this gift? Why did the King of heaven come down and make His dwelling among us? 1 Timothy 1:15 (NLT) tells us, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” In Romans 6:23 (NIV) we’re told plainly, “The wages of sin is death.” This is what we deserve. This is the debt we owe God because of our sin. In sin we stand separated from a holy and perfect God. But our Lord, full of love, grace, and mercy, set a plan in place to bridge that great divide by giving us “the gift of God,” which is “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And He achieved this “by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9 NLT).

As Christ followers, we’ve received a gift that will keep on giving forever—a perfect gift that will never get old, never break, never wear out, never be empty, and will never lose its value; the greatest gift the world has ever known. All we have to do is believe. Jesus paid the ultimate, highest price to purchase this gift for us so He could offer it to us freely! That’s why John 3:16 is the most well-known verse in the Bible, because it’s the most powerful and simplest expression of God’s love for us. And guess what? Do you know how God feels every time someone accepts His gift? Jesus tells us in Luke 15:7 (NLT) that there is joy in Heaven over one lost, imperfect sinner who repents and accepts the gift of Jesus!

So, as you get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as you prepare Christmas Eve dinner or get ready to attend church, know that you aren’t the only one celebrating. Be assured that our Father is in heaven celebrating the moment you and I became His children, and know that there will be great rejoicing in heaven as people come to know Him.

Today’s Devotional Verse

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Daniel 9:24‭-‬26 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.9.24-26.KJV

Today’s Devotional Verse

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:1‭-‬10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.2.1-10.KJV

Imperfect Christmas Perfect Gift

Star of Wonder

By Danny Saavedra

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him’ . . . . When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”—Matthew 2:1–2, 10 (NLT)

Some people spend their whole lives searching. They search for the right job, the right man or the right woman, the right house, the right car. They search and search, yet oftentimes discover that it’s not easy to find what they’re looking for. Sometimes, our searches take us far from home, across the world, to new and unfamiliar territory . . . just like the crew from the Enterprise on Star Trek!

The mission of the Enterprise is “to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.” Like the characters in Star Trek, the wise men boldly went on a mission . . . they were in search of a King.

But who were these men? The word used in the Greek often referred to a group of wise men, likely Persian or Babylonian (“the East”) priests and astrologers, who devoted their time to interpreting signs and prophecies. With the influence Daniel had on the government of Babylon and Persia 600 years prior, the detailed prophecies of the coming King (such as Daniel 9:24–26) found in the Hebrew Scriptures, and the large number of Jews that maintained a presence in the area after their return from exile, it makes sense that these magi would look to the Scriptures for great signs and miracles. 

A number of scholars believe the wise men knew to look for the star because of the reference in Numbers 24:17 about the star and scepter that was to come out of Jacob. Did they believe the God of Abraham was the true God? It’s very possible. With everything that took place during the time of Daniel, from the great dreams of Nebuchadnezzar to the fiery furnace to the lion’s den, it’s extremely likely that a pocket of Babylonian and Persian priests and scholars had been converted and passed this down from generation to generation.

These wise men devoted their lives to finding the King. Consider that these men, who knew to look for the star as a sign of the Messiah’s coming, were Gentiles . . . Gentiles who trusted in God’s Word as truth, so much so that as soon as they saw the star, they left their land and embarked on a long journey in search of the promised King and Messiah. Then, after seemingly hitting a dead end with Herod in Jerusalem, the star appeared again to light their way to the King they sought. And Scripture tells us that when they saw the star, they were filled with joy.

To me, the great lesson here is that the Lord can use anything to get our attention and draw us to His Son. For these men from the East, it was a star. God can use a star, a stone, a book, an ad, nature, or you and me! If you think about it, He probably used someone to help guide you to Jesus, and He wants to guide others to Jesus through you. You can be the star that lights someone’s way, that helps someone who is searching and seeking find their way to the Savior!

Here’s the thing, though: In order for God to use us to guide people to His Son, our lives must reflect the radiance and glory of Jesus. We need to live “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27 NIV). When we do this—when we seek Christ Jesus, when we follow His example, when we abide in Him—Paul says we will “shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15–16 NIV). 

Fellow Christ-followers, this is our great calling in life. This is our mission, our purpose. It’s why God has placed you in your current job; it’s why you’re enrolled in the school you attend; it’s why you live in your neighborhood; it’s why you are a member of the family you were born into. If you’ve ever had aspirations of being a big star, this is your chance! Be a star for Christ, one that leads people to worship Jesus.

If you’ve never done this, Christmas is the perfect season to start! Invite a friend to church, do an outreach in your neighborhood, or invite a relative or coworker over for Christmas and show them what this wonderful celebration is all about. Start shining today!