Never forget the gift
All of us have a special gift that we remember getting. It may not be the cost. It may not be special because we needed it. It is often times special because of other reasons. It might have been the last gift that someone gave us. Perhaps it was the first gift that newlyweds gave each other. Maybe it was one from our childhood. For whatever reason, it is precious to us.
As Christians we should never forget the gift. But... the gift I am speaking of is the gift of the Son of God on the cross. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Human comprehension cannot begin to appreciate what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary. Jesus never knew what it was like to suffer, yet came to earth, took on human flesh, and suffered the indescribable pain and anguish, of the cross.
As we go through this holiday season, be sure to not forget the gift. Remember what Jesus has done for you. Remember that God gave His gift to us when we were yet in sin and enemies of Him. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). People often base their giving on those who will give them a gift in return. But God gave when He knew that we were His enemies in rebellion against Him.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Jesus expressed that love when he said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 14:13). As much as you love your wife, husband, or children, remember, God loved us more!
When you start to total up the cost of your gifts, remember the gift. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).
There's no Visa or Mastercard in the world which can begin to purchase what Jesus did for us on the cross. How can one put a price tag on forgiveness of sins and salvation? When you begin to think, after your gifts are all opened, that you deserve more than you get, remember the gift. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).
We did not deserve salvation, couldn't earn it, couldn't pay enough for it, but can receive it through the beloved grace of God. Never forget, Christian, when you were baptized into Christ, you received the blessings of God's wonderful grace. Remember the gift.