Every Christmas, we find ourselves surrounded by gifts.
They pile up under trees, fill store shelves and flood our minds as we search for the perfect thing to give our loved ones. In the midst of all the wrapping paper, ribbons and wish lists, it’s easy to forget that the greatest gift was never bought, earned or deserved.
It was given — freely, lovingly and sacrificially — through Jesus Christ.
Christmas is more than just a celebration of his birth. It’s a reminder that God wrapped himself in flesh and came down from heaven to dwell among us, bringing light into our darkness and hope into our brokenness.
The true gift of the Gospel is that we can be restored to him, not because of what we’ve done, but because of who he is.
The Gift We Didn’t Expect
Have you ever received a Christmas gift you didn’t see coming? I know I have. I can still picture the scene when my parents gave me a Playstation 2 when I was 13. They were normally very strict about our screen time, and we didn’t have any game consoles at home except for an old Sega Genesis that I was allowed to play one hour a week. And while I’m normally a reserved, quiet person, when I tore off that wrapping paper, I ran around the house, screaming with joy as I held the console over my head.
The gift of our Savior was also unexpected, but those who anticipated the Messiah were thrown off by the wrapping. They expected a conquering king, someone powerful, regal and untouchable, but God gave them a baby. A crying, helpless newborn laid in a feeding trough. The humility of that moment still stuns the world. It tells us that God’s love often arrives in ways we don’t expect.
The Gift We Can’t Earn
Our culture teaches that good gifts are for people who “deserve” them. But the Gospel flips that idea upside down. Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Notice that word: gift. You can’t buy it, bargain for it or work hard enough to receive it. You simply accept it. That’s what makes the Gospel so radical and different from what other religions offer. God offers forgiveness and freedom through his unmerited love to us all.
The Gift That Keeps Giving
The joys of earthly gifts eventually fade. Think about it: How many Christmas gifts in your life can you actually remember? There are probably a few, but the majority have probably been forgotten like Pogs, Floam and other gifts from yesteryear. The excitement wears off, the batteries die and the novelty disappears. But the gift of the Gospel never loses its power.
Through Jesus, we are continually renewed, forgiven and filled with purpose. His Spirit reminds us daily that we are loved and chosen. We should constantly be repeating 2 Corinthians 9:15, which says “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” This gift doesn’t end when Christmas is over…it grows deeper as we walk with him.
The Gift We Should Embrace
Maybe you’ve known Jesus for years, or maybe your faith has felt distant lately. Either way, taking the time to unwrap the Gospel again this Christmas will remind you that this gift of grace and forgiveness is for you.
Because at the heart of Christmas is a God who didn’t just send a message of love; He IS love. And that’s a gift worth unwrapping every day.