During this Christmas season millions of people are giving and exchanging gifts, yet having no realisation they are celebrating the Father of all mankind who gave the greatest gift of all time: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus, truly is, the Gift that keeps on giving!”

Acts 20:35 “….Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.” It is not the act of giving that is acceptable to God, but the motive for giving, behind the gift. A gift should be chosen thoughtfully, in order to bless the recipient. The commercialism of Christmas in the world has prostituted the true value of the reason for the season, the gift to mankind of the Saviour, our beloved Jesus.

As Believers, we received the Father’s gift of His Son when we entered into salvation. For us, Christmas is forever in our hearts. It is not just a date on a calendar. In our humanity, our wandering hearts may stumble and fail, but in the economy of God, He has made provision for that and uses it, for His glory. He uses it to teach us His ways, the better way. Our failure can become our learning curve with God. God sees failure as an incident, not my identity. Christ is my identity and sin shall not have dominion over me! Romans 6:14 encourages: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked with God…” God was with Jacob. In His great love for us, God meets us where we are, and blesses us. It is wrong to take God’s blessing on our lives as an indication that all our ways are pleasing to God and we have no need of change. I only prove God when I walk in His ways. Am I walking with God, like Enoch?….or is God, in His great mercy, meeting me where I am and walking with me, wooing me to come up higher with Him?

Well, hallelujah! Here is the good news: Immanuel – God with us! Jesus Christ is our Immanuel. He is the great enabler. I can do nothing in my own strength, but Christ in me – now that’s a different story! Philippians 4:13 challenges and encourages: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I invite Him into my weakness and the glorious mystery of the royal exchange takes place. The power of the resurrected, indwelling Christ strengthens and enables me to walk with God. Truly, we can celebrate this every day, not just at Christmas, but let us join our hearts and voices and praise in celebration: Immanuel! “Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM……”