The Best Gift
GOD VALUES GENEROSITY BECAUSE GOD GENEROUSLY GIVES.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Luke 2:1, 3-7.
Verse of the Day: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Catherine drummed her fingers on her knee as she sat cross-legged in front of the Christmas tree, waiting for her parents to start passing out presents. She had already identified all the packages under the tree, and she knew which ones were for her.
Finally, Mom sat down on the couch and Dad put on his bright red wool hat with a white ball on the end, the signal that it was time to start unwrapping presents. He handed the first present to Cindy, Catherine’s younger sister. Then he handed a brightly wrapped package to Catherine.
She ripped off the wrapping paper and tossed it onto the floor to reveal a Munching Molly doll! “Yea!” Catherine screamed. She jumped up and down, hugging the doll. Her celebration stopped, however, as her dad held out another gift. She quickly sat down and dropped Munching Molly on the floor beside her.
Less than a half hour later, Catherine was surrounded by a stack of presents, some big, some small. Wrapping paper covered the floor.
“I love my presents!” she announced. “I love them so much, I can’t decide which one to play with first.”
Suddenly, Mom pulled Cindy onto her lap and motioned to Catherine. Catherine sat beside her mom and snuggled against her arm.
“What was your favorite gift this Christmas?” Mom asked the girls.
“My play set!” Cindy answered, referring to a set of plastic kitchen appliances.
“Munching Molly,” Catherine said. “But I like all my gifts.”
“You know what my favorite gift is?” Mom asked. “My favorite gift is Jesus.”
“Jesus?” Catherine asked.
Mom nodded. “I like all the gifts I unwrapped this morning,” she explained, “but the best gift ever is the gift God gave when he sent his Son to be born and later become our Savior.”
“Yeah, but God gave Jesus a long time ago,” Catherine said. “Jesus was born a long time ago,” Mom said, “but God gives me the gift of Jesus every day. And that’s the best, most generous, most loving gift I’ve ever gotten.” “Me too,” Catherine said. “Jesus is my favorite gift too.”
TO DISCUSS: Have you received the gift of Jesus? Does Jesus live in your heart? If not, why not accept God’s loving Christmas present and ask Jesus to forgive your sins? If you have received the gift of Jesus, take a few moments to thank God for his perfect gift!
TO PRAY: “Jesus, you are our favorite gift. Thank you for your willingness to take our sins on yourself. We love you.”