The Gift of JESUS Unwrapped

The month of December has only just begun and already we are bombarded with the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas.

Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, and creches are on display in every shopping mall. Before the last Thanksgiving turkey sandwich was eaten, local radio stations were playing Christmas songs and carols. Two of my personal favorites are Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy.

It wouldn’t be very long now before we will be unwrapping gifts and enjoying spiced cider, eggnog, minced pies, rich fruit cake and other Christmas menu favorites.

Truly, ‘tis the season to be jolly!!

But, wait! In the midst of all the pre-planning excitement and anticipation of that DAY, are we forgetting something, or Someone? 

Are we giving any thought to the One who is the reason for our “good cheer”?

Aside from the plastic baby JESUS lying motionless in the creche on our front lawns, will our friends, co-workers and loved ones who don’t really know Him get to meet the real JESUS this season?

Christians know that the doll infant in our creches represent not just a baby but a life-altering, divine power. How about making an extra effort this season to reveal to others what we know?

Unwrapping the gift of JESUS that’s you

Why did JESUS come to earth?

Christmas is the Christian celebration of the coming of JESUS CHRIST.

GOD sent His Son JESUS to earth in the form of a man to live among His people for a period of time (John 1:14) with a mission to fulfill the Father’s plan for saving the lost (Luke 19:10.)

JESUS completed His mission and returned to His Father in heaven. But, He left us, believers, with a mission of our own – make disciples and become His witnesses.

JESUS today continues to save the lost but He does it through us, His ambassadors here on earth.

An ambassador in a foreign country reflects his or her Nation’s character and image, exactly to the host country. An ambassador represents everything his or her country stands for, or against. 

Similarly, the world around us can come to know who JESUS is by observing us – what we say and do.

What better time to show off the character of our Savior than during the celebration of His birth on earth?

To perform His mission, JESUS had to do what all babies do eventually. He had to grow up. So, the JESUS you must put on display cannot be the helpless baby in a manger. Only the acts and words of the Man, JESUS will have a meaningful impact on your world.

It is up to us to unveil the grown-up JESUS by imitating His character wherever we have influence.

What qualities of the Man, JESUS can you show to your world?

Be a witness. See, I made him a witness to the peoples… Isaiah 55:4.

Christian witnessing is about sharing the gospel. Telling the unsaved about JESUS’ death, burial and resurrection is crucial to being a true witness.

However, to the people in your world, the truth of the gospel is validated in you – how you live your life is confirmation of what you say you believe. The quote, People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, is a truism for every Christian.

JESUS was His own best witness for drawing people to Himself because He lived what He taught. He treated everyone with grace, showed great patience, kindness and a sincere love – even those who wronged Him. (Mark 10:1, Ephesians 5:2, Matthew 9:22)

Live like the JESUS you preach.

JESUS was GOD in human flesh, holy and righteous but He was often accused of being a “friend of sinners.” (Matthew 5:46, Matthew 9:13)

Be a friend to sinners. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:13

JESUS is still a “friend to sinners.” He came to save the lost. In order to save lost people, JESUS had to associate with them, not so He could be like them but that they would become like Him.

While the Pharisees treated “sinners” like outcasts, JESUS ate with them so He could teach them by word and example and give them the opportunity to choose new lives.

Reach out and invite a sinner into your world this season – it doesn’t have to be a huge deal. Include them in whatever plans you have, alone or as a family.

You were lost and a sinner and JESUS found you through someone who reached out to you. Now you have JESUS’ righteousness and His peace. (Isaiah 32:17)

Be an instrument of peace. He is our peace…. Ephesians 2:14; “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you….” John 14:27

You know the Christmas story...

When the LORD’S angels announced the birth of the CHRIST CHILD to the shepherds, a multitude of the heavenly host burst into praise, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2: 14

JESUS is the Prince of Peace who left us with the gift of peace. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are told to seek peace and make every effort to live in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11.)

There are dozens of commands in Scripture to believers about being peacemakers.

The season of “goodwill” can also come with plenty of openings for conflict; in the workplace, at home and in places of business.

Give the gift of peace and yield the right to be right. It’s hard to fight with someone who’s putting your interest ahead of theirs.

Choose the path JESUS took – put others’ needs first.

JESUS, the Creator of the universe, chose to give up His deity to serve you. (Philippians 2:6-7)

Be a servant – give of yourself. “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.” Isaiah 42:1 & Matthew 12:18

JESUS exemplified servanthood – throughout His years of ministry on earth and up to His death on a cross. “….the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Serving others is central to being a Christian. You are most like JESUS when you’re serving generously and with love.

This may be the season of “joy to the world” but it’s also the time of year when many have nothing resembling joy.

Some are financially desperate due to chronic joblessness, illness, etc. Others are suffering emotionally – feeling unloved, lonely and unappreciated.

Depression is a common malady around Christmas.

Opportunities for you to make a difference are endless. You can serve by giving sacrificially of your resources and your time. Needs are greatest at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and food pantries need more generous supplies now than the rest of the year.

Toys-for-tots and angel tree programs are a way to serve our most vulnerable – minor children.

Consider also the not-so-obvious needs – where you show up in person to let someone know that they matter, both to you and to their Creator. There are many lonely and forgotten in nursing homes, assisted living housing, veterans’ homes and hospitals.  Often clients in these institutions have no one to visit with them at any time of year.

Be someone’s Christmas angel. Take a Christmas-wrapped token along with the good news that will cause great joy for all the people – that a Savior has been born, their Messiah and LORD.

Remind someone that John 3:16 is as much for the lonely as for those in families and that GOD promises to be a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalm 68:5-6)

Conclusion

Being a Nation’s ambassador is a huge responsibility so ambassadors have a support team that works alongside them.

As an ambassador for JESUS, you also have a support team. JESUS calls Him your "Helper" or “Advocate.” He’s the Holy Spirit sent by the Father to empower you with His truth and guide you in how to use it with grace. (John 14:26.)

Grace and truth are characteristics the Father gifted to JESUS and He in turn gifted them to you. (John 1:14, 17)

So, this season, be the grace and truth that will change a life for all eternity.

Unwrap the gift of the real JESUS to your world!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we worship and adore you. As we prepare to celebrate this Christmas, we give honor to the ONE, the Word who became flesh, the only SON of the Father who came to save full of grace and truth. Help us to serve this weary and hurting world as JESUS does for us, in peace, sincere love, grace, and truth. Because of JESUS’ love we can bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Glory to GOD in the highest, HALLELUJAH! We pray in the name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile