Our Greatest and Priceless Gift

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The race is on! We’re streaking toward the finish line of December 25^th and I’m already starting to panic. My calendar is full, the hours left are short, and I’m not quite sure I will make it.

I started out really well, with plenty of time to spare. My daughter and I braved the howling storm and sea of people on “Black Friday”. We were among the midnight crazies at Walmart, doing the all-night shopping thing. Infused with caffeine and adrenalin, we sped from one end of the store to the other and got some decent deals. However, what seemed to be suitable gift ideas in the excitement and haste of early dawn, once home, turned out to be not-so-wise choices.

For one special item, I stood in a three-hour line that snaked through several aisles. While I waited, I had an opportunity to observe the people around me. Each person was cordial, courteous, pleasant, and helpful, but completely absorbed in their own shopping needs. They came from all walks of life with many different interests. Some more affluent than others, but all were doing the very same thing. In the wee hours of the morning, when Christmas bargains were uppermost in our minds, I pondered the question, “Can they tell I’m a Christian; that for me Christmas means much more than glitz, glitter, and gifts?”

 

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Sadly, I knew they couldn’t. My fellow shoppers had no idea I personally knew the Baby born in Bethlehem, Who grew up to die on a cross for my sin and theirs, rising from death three days later and is alive forevermore. They were oblivious to the fact that at least one stood there among them who possessed eternal life and walked the narrow way, while they wander aimlessly down the broad. A thought flashed through my mind, “Should I engage someone in conversation about Jesus and the real meaning of Christmas?” Then just as quickly, the girl behind me asked a question and the thought was gone; never to return.

Thinking back to that night, I grieve, knowing the majority of people I encountered would probably say they believe in God or that God exists. They might even say they know the Christmas story about the Baby born in a manger. But, they have no real knowledge of who He is, nor do they desire it. They merrily go about their Christmas shopping in a joyous stupor, enveloped in the “giving” spirit and tradition.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas as much as anyone. I love the decorations, get-togethers, gift-giving and receiving, music, merriment, and laughter. But, there is a sadness for me when I see how many people do not recognize that Jesus, Immanuel, was and is God, come in the flesh. He dwelt among us for a time and then became our sacrifice, dying for our sin. Jesus was born to be the Greatest Gift of all. He is the “…eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (I John 1:2) giving us a chance to believe and receive this “… gift of God, which is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” For, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 6:23; Rom. 5:8) This Greatest and Priceless Gift is the true meaning of Christmas.

 

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But think about it, if I am sad because of all the people who still walk in darkness and desperately need to see that great light, Jesus is infinitely more. How His heart must break to see the “form of godliness…” their playing at being holy.  In Isaiah 65:2 God proclaims, “All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations-” (NIV)

Yes, I realize this passage was said to Israel, confirmed and repeated in Rom. 10:21. But, God’s word is for everyone. We all are warned to “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

So, my challenge for you this Christmas (like you have nothing else to do) is to help someone find The Greatest and Priceless Gift and enter through that narrow gate.