The Greatest Gift Given

It's Christmas eve, actually I guess technically its now Christmas morning (2am). I attempted to blog earlier, but half way through, I got interrupted. Rather than continuing on with that thought, I decided to share a more developed thought with you.
I've been considering what I want to share with you. For a while I've been wanting to share a story with you, but lacked the creativity that was needed. So, after much thought I've decided to simply share what is on my heart.
The simple truth is that often at Christmas we are tempted to focus on the presents or maybe the baby in the manger. But what about the reason for the baby in the manger? When was the last time you looked at Christmas as the introduction to the One who would one day become the Savior. We like to say that “Jesus is the reason for the season”, but what does that mean?
Over the past year, God has been developing in me, a heart to see the lost saved. Sometimes it even overwhelms me, though I’m ashamed to admit you would never know it. Something that has stuck with me and become one of my favorite quotes says “Do you love enough to share?” In light of that I guess if you were to look at my life over the last year, you would think that I don’t really love anyone. But my prayer is that you would see my love in the coming year, more clearly than ever.
God blessed me this Christmas. Right before I left for the Christmas break, a friend’s mother received Christ. I can’t tell you what joy that brings to my heart! And tonight, another friend’s grandmother met her Savior. And while I am praying for my friend and her family, I am rejoicing that her grandmother was able to meet her Savior tonight.
As you are celebrating Christmas this year, I hope that you don’t simply think about the presents and Jesus in the form of a baby. I hope that you will remember that the Baby in the manger grew up and died to pay the debt for your sins. When thinking about the presents, think about the greatest gift ever given, the gift given on the cross by the Savior. Let’s not only celebrate His birth, let’s celebrate the Savior this Christmas!