"Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
-Luke 2: 10-12

The Greatest Gift

"You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2 : 12) Little did the world realize that the first gift of Christmas would be the greatest gift of all. At first it probably did not appear to be much of a gift. A baby wrapped in cloths, born to a poor, unwed couple. Born in nothing more than a barn in the cold of night. Not much of a gift at all. But if the world had been able to look into the future to see how the story would end, they may have understood. "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23: 46) For that baby, born that night in Bethlehem, was far from an ordinary child. He grew into the man that would become the 'Lion of the tribe of Judah." (Revelation 5: 5) He grew up to be the Lamb. "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, ..." (Revelation 5: 12) On that special night many years ago God gave the world the greatest gift we could imagine. He gave us salvation! A gift of love that would come at the cost of His own Son! Remember John 3: 16. A gift the world was not prepared for. A gift that many do not recognize. A gift that you cannot earn or deserve. But there it is! Ready to be opened by anyone who will accept it. I pray that this Christmas season will find you opening this gift. Accepting it for what it is, the greatest gift you could ever receive! Praise God for this wonderful gift.

Can you remember the excitement of Christmas morning when you were young? I get to relive that excitement now with my three children. To see their eyes light up in anticipation of what might be in their stockings or under the tree. To see the joy in their faces and hear the happiness in their voices as they open that one 'special' gift they had hoped to receive. What an awesome thing to experience. Yet, that is what Christmas morning should be like for all of us. As we wake on that morn realizing what Christmas is truly about. "For unto us a child is born..." (see Isaiah 9 :6 below) Who doesn't need all of the things mentioned in Isaiah 9: 6? Who doesn't need a 'Wonderful Counselor?' Who isn't in awe of a 'Mighty Good?' Who doesn't want the presence of an 'Everlasting Father?' Who doesn't understand that this world needs a 'Prince of Peace?' I know that I need them all. Don't you? As you wake on Christmas morning remember this 'special gift' given to us all by our Father in Heaven and feel again the excitement of a child! For we truly have received the greatest gift of all! Amen! :)

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I pray that the holiday season will bring you blessings. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a good week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
-Isaiah 9: 6

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