The Greatest Gift from God

Jesus is the greatest gift that God has given the world. We cannot ask for anything greater than the gift of the Son of God as our redeemer.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16)

Make me a servant humble and meek; Lord, let me lift up those who are weak…

The Savior is born! Do you do your part as a Christian in spreading the Good News of His coming? How do you lead others to salvation?

Happy birthday, Jesus. My Lord and my Savior! Teach me to share You with my neighbors.

1st READING

There is no greater or more important news that we could bring anyone than the offer of the gift of salvation. It is up to the individual if they want to accept it or not. We should do our best to convince them of the supreme worth of the gift of salvation, but ultimately the choice to receive Jesus into their lives is theirs, not ours. Let us pray that this Christmas, many more men and women will come into the knowledge and experience of Jesus’ love.

Isaiah 52:7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” 8 Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. 9 Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. 10 The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

P S A L M

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 (3c)

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. (R)

2nd READING

Jesus is the greatest gift that God has given the world. We cannot ask for anything greater than the gift of the Son of God as our redeemer. If you can think of a better gift then please let me know as I will have to rethink my whole life strategy. I think I am safe in assuming no one will contact me for this purpose.

Hebrews 1:1-6

1 Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2 in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, 3 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? 6 And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

G O S P E L

The Johanine description of the birth of Jesus takes far more unraveling and explanation than we have room for here. Suffice it to say that John is speaking very deeply about the origin, or better, existence of Jesus and how and why He was sent to us. Let us recognize that there is a great deal more that we could say and leave it at that. I am sure you are all quite capable of reflecting upon this wonderful mystery yourselves.

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be 4 through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; 5 the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

my reflections

t h i n k : We should do our best to convince others of the supreme worth of the gift of salvation, but ultimately the choice to receive Jesus into their lives is theirs, not ours.

God’s special verse/thought for me today: Sing praises to God’s greatest gift for all of us – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – the reason and meaning of my life, the reason why I live, our Father’s revelation. Jesus, you are my way, my truth and my life. Thank you Jesus. Praise you Jesus. Amen.

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for loving me and blessing me with such loving family and friends; for searching me and knowing me inside and out; for being my hiding place, for being the answer to all my questions; for loving me for me. Happy Birthday Lord Jesus, my Savior, my loving God, my friend. I will always love you. You are my joy and inspiration! You are awesome! J