THE BEST GIFT

I love Christmas, -all of it! Mostly because it’s when we go see our family in Argentina and also because I always think that Christmas here in America is like a whole new level of Christmas! -No, seriously!

Starting right after Thanksgiving dinner, we go shopping for all kinds of gifts. When December starts, we get our homes prepared, some host parties some bake, some write greeting cards and almost everyone decorates, on some level. Although I’ve seen homes that are not only decorated on the inside including the restrooms, but some also decorate with lights on the outside; plus they add a wreath or antlers to their cars! It is indeed another level of Christmas!

And yet, even if the Malls are packed, the traffic is awful and the parking is a lottery; every year we knock ourselves out trying to make it all happen. -But why? And why do we do it all over again in twelve months? Because we want to celebrate Christmas “Pinterest-right” and then post it on Instagram -of course!

Our tree and most of our Christmas decorations are country style. Most ornaments are either wooden, burlap or rustic. I try to envision that first Christmas, how it wasn’t at all embellished, and yet a King was born. It wasn’t half as fancy but it was majestic: God came to inhabit the Earth. It didn’t seem like a high-stress/high-expectations family gathering, because Mary and Joseph were sojourners at the time; yet because of Jesus they became the perfect family.

What a great reminder this verse is for all of us:“ “TODAY YOUR SAVIOR WAS BORN IN THE TOWN OF DAVID. HE IS CHRIST THE LORD." LUKE 2:11 New Century Version.

You may be thinking you know all of this. Of course you do. You might have read it many times, or heard it in church or at Christmas gatherings. The music in the malls and all the Christmas cards remind us often during this season of our Lord and Savior and the meaning of this celebration. We got that part down.

But what about the rest of the year, when all the Christmas cheer is gone, but our spirit runs low on joy? Or during those weeks we’re all out of hope? Or just when everything was going great, and then someone dear to us suddenly needs Chemo? Where do we turn when the bottom falls out? Who can we trust?

I love that we have a Savior to turn to.

I don’t know about you, but I cannot make it on my own without His grace, His forgiveness, His Love, and His Promises. I need a Savior. God thought He’d send us His Only Son as our Savior for the times the going gets hard. When we feel lonely. When the battle is too difficult to endure. Those days we’re just about to give up. When the waiting is too long. For when the sickness comes back…

I cherish what Charles Sell wrote about us needing a Savior:

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been for technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been for money, God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been for pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us Savior.”

I’m pretty sure by now you have your Christmas tree up and all the decorations. You’ve probably at least thought of what your dinner looks like or what side you’re bringing. And of course you’ve probably completed -or waiting on Amazon, to complete your gift list. You took time to do all of this because you care for the ones you love in your life. You wanted to surprise them with the perfect gift so that they would feel loved. Isn't this the reason why we do Christmas in the end?

Imagine how much God would have had to care and how much He loves us, that even before time started, He had already prepared the Gift of His Son as a Savior to be born unto us.

He couldn’t order that online. He had to deliver it in person, on a cross. In order to become our Savior, He first had to die for our sins so we would be forgiven. It was the ultimate price. But He paid it anyway so we could be saved, - but mostly so we would live knowing how loved we really are.

I hope this Christmas you take his Gift as your own: His Son Jesus as your Savior. It has your name on it. It’s for you.

God really did give us the BEST GIFT. Here’s why: It doesn’t get old. Jesus is outside of time. You don’t need to return it. You will wear his gift of Salvation proudly because of His love and grace. It doesn’t wear out. His love is from everlasting to everlasting. God doesn’t change his mind about you. He says he makes us sons and daughters forever. You don’t need to earn it. It’s by grace that we’re saved. You cannot work for it or repay Him for it. His gift renews our life. Even your broken heart! So when you open all your gifts, don’t forget your gift of a SAVIOR.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

-All the best,

Maria

Author: “Life is Worth Getting Better”