THE Universally -Needed GIFT

       Do you recall hearing people remarking somewhat glibly, ‘Oh, Christmas is really just  for the children?’ I, too, shared that sentiment before my spiritual birthdate-- October 8, 1984.  Before Christ found me that day, the holy event observed on December 25th could be summarized by the line in an old Stevie Wonder song:  “…when my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy!”    By my teenage years and young adulthood, the thrill of Christmas had all but flickered out. Before Christ’s Spirit convicted my heart, giving me a true understanding of my desperate need of Him, my primary concerns included  how many days off I would have for the holidays, or again, what gifts I might receive or perhaps bestow upon someone else.

     The REASON for the season—a celebration of the Sin-Bearer’s rescue mission for every soul born into this sin-cursed world—had not at all registered in my heart prior to 1984.  I’d never heard (and certainly had never heeded) the gospel invitation that the God of heaven was offering me a GIFT--forgiveness of my sins-- that I MUST receive; otherwise, He would not be mine, nor I His!  (Romans 8:8, 9; 1 John 3:10) Oh, yes, Christmas IS for children, young AND old,  yet the Bible reveals that those who refuse Christ’s entrance into their heart by faith, upon hearing and believing the gospel of WHY He came, will one day tragically share the eternal destiny of that condemned soul of whom my Lord testified in Luke 16:19-31.  They will hear the Savior God’s terrifying declaration found in Matthew 7:23:  “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Such a pronouncement, dear reader, need not be your dread.  The God of the universe desires every soul to receive His indescribable gift,  that universally-needed Gift, which only He can supply, and which ALONE credits to your soul “Forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ!”  Only your receipt of this Gift by faith credits you and I with being rightly related to the eternal God of the universe.
 
     Receive Him into your heart today, dear reader, if you’ve never done so!  He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).  That said, let us who know Him pray for an entrance for sharing this life-giving Gift called the Gospel, especially during this holy season.  We never know how (or when) His Spirit will use our testimony.

PRAYER:  Thank You, Father, for this GIFT which no soul can afford to reject.  The sharing of how one receives this right relationship with You never grows old.  Renew the wonder of every son and daughter of Yours this day, such that we daily yearn to bring delight to Your heart by sharing the precious gospel.  Thank You, in Christ’s name; AMEN!
     
By Denise Diggs