Dec 27thDevotion Isaiah 9:6 Gifts Mean Nothing Without First Receiving

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

How many times have you heard a saying that Christmas isn’t about what you get, it’s about what you give.  Well, I say balderdash…kinda. I understand that the Word says that it is more blessed to give than receive but like everything about scripture “context, context, context.”  Acts 2:35 states “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And since it is scripture it will certainly remain unchallenged truth.  Yet, the verse is not talking about the day that so many choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Most important about that day is not what we do but what we have received.  The most important fact about that day is that we are remembering the day that God gave us His greatest gift of love, the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

On that specific day, at just the right time, Jesus was given as a gift to be the Savior to the world. (Romans 5:6)  About seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus the prophet Isaiah prophesied about the birth of Messiah ““For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6)  On the day that Jesus was born mankind did not give, it was God Himself who gave to mankind “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) We celebrate the birth of Jesus as the day that God gave Jesus to be the way back to peace with God.  So when we celebrate the birth of Jesus we celebrate the momentous day that God gave to us what no person can give except God.  We received, we did not give.

It was not until the work of Christ was completed at His resurrection did anyone have their spirit resurrected into peace with God.  So the greatest part of that day of remembrance of the birth of Jesus is what was given by the Father to all mankind through Jesus our Savior and that is peace with God.  And what absolutely must be remembered is that unless one receives Jesus as their Savior and Lord than the meaning of the day of His birth, and the power of it, is lost.  (John 3:18)

So the day of remembrance is wonderful, the giving of gifts is nice, but gift giving is not the purpose of Christmas no matter how sincere the motivation.  As John 3:18 states, unless a person loves and serves Jesus, than that person does not have the benefit of the birth of the Christ.  All gift giving, celebrating and song singing then is only useless exercise and singing.  Only those who bow to the Lord receive the purpose of the day.  And without having the purpose of the day, well, I guess, enjoy the gifts because what’s ahead is not cheerful and full of gifts.  Only through Jesus is salvation received.

Now those who truly love the Lord truly love His children and all persons on earth, just as He does.  Then it is a good thing to celebrate, dine and give gifts in remembrance and in celebration of the birth of Christ. Just remember giving gifts on that day means nothing if one has not first humbly, and joyfully, received the Father’s gift to us.  So first receive from the Father and then from the love and joy God has given us through Jesus, celebrate.  Yes, praise God and give.  Always praise God!  Amen!

Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.