For some, the countdown to Christmas is almost unbearable. Only a few days until Christmas! My younger grandchildren can hardly sit still their excitement is so great.
We who are older, perhaps jaded, are much calmer as Christmas approaches. Gifts to wrap, worship services to prepare, 2023 projects, the fatigue of travel, and daily work all taking their toll.
It would be good for us adults to have a bit of childlike wonder and excitement in celebrating the coming of the eternal Son of God to earth. Perhaps no greater event has ever occurred than the incarnation of God’s Son.
But far too many people are just like their ancient forbears: “[Jesus] came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
Jesus, the Son of God in flesh, came to His own world—God’s “footstool” (Matt. 5:35)—yet He had nowhere to lay His head. A manger must suffice! This royal Child received no welcome from family, friends, or visiting dignitaries. Just humble, lowly shepherds who made their way to Jesus’ birthplace.
Rather than adoring the baby King, King Herod purposed to put this rival to death. So the innocents of Israel were slaughtered, and Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fled to Egypt.
The apostle Paul describes Christ and the salvation He provides as an “indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15): the gift of life to sinners, the gift of forgiveness of sins by the death of Christ, the gift of a clear conscience, the gift of the hope and reality of Heaven, the gift of being reconciled to God—all by grace and of infinite value.
Long after our children fled our home, years after high school and college tuitions were paid, I scrimped and saved to buy my wife, Debbie, a gift more special than socks or kitchen utensils.
A diamond had caught my eye, and though it was expensive, the purchase was made. Some of greater means would not consider the gift awfully expensive, but for me it was. That gift signified how incredibly valuable Debbie is to me. “Her value is far above rubies” (Prov. 31:10) and even diamonds!
The purchase was made, and the small gold box meticulously placed in our tree, a token of her incredible worth to me.
In Christ we have a gift beyond measure, not worth thousands but indescribable in worth, infinite in value. That gift is the Son of God made flesh. His life, His death, and His blood are “precious” indeed (1 Peter 1:19).
Truly, Jesus is “precious.” He is exceedingly, infinitely valuable to those who believe in Him, to those who by God’s grace accept His gift of eternal life.
So with eagerness and faithful excitement, anticipate and celebrate the greatest event in all of history: the eternal Son of God made flesh to die for your sins. Worship Jesus Christ with childlike awe and joy. Jesus is the King, who died for our sins so we might live!
Celebrate like people saved by grace through faith.
What an infinitely valuable gift to sinners.
David Strope is interim national representative of the GARBC.
