The First Christmas Gift – John 3:16
In a world where there often seems to be little optimism, and the reports we hear often offer nothing but bad news, conflict and war, disease and death, storms, earthquakes, famine and disaster, where can we find hope?
In recent weeks, some song lyrics have been ‘stuck’ in my head, reminding me about where my hope is: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.”
In a world where there often seems to be little optimism, and the reports we hear often offer nothing but bad news, conflict and war, disease and death, storms, earthquakes, famine and disaster, where can we find hope?
In recent weeks, some song lyrics have been ‘stuck’ in my head, reminding me about where my hope is: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.”
As Christians, our hope is found in Jesus. Thanks to His sinless life, death and resurrection, we can know that are our sins are forgiven and we will one day go to heaven to be with Him, a place where there will be no more pain and suffering, where everything will be perfect and right, just as God intended it to be when He created the world.
As you give gifts to the ones that you love this Christmas, take time to consider the first Christmas gift ever given, when God gave:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God gave because He loved, and that love extends to all the world, not just those who love Him or deserve His love, because none of us do.
What God gave was precious to Him, His Son – Jesus Christ, born as a baby in Bethlehem that first Christmas, into a world of conflict, pain and suffering.
Why did God give? So that we can be reconciled to Him and have hope, as the angels told the shepherds that first Christmas, “born this day in the city of David a Saviour…”. We need a Saviour to rescue us from our sin so that through Him we can receive the most amazing gift – eternal life in heaven.
As you give gifts to the ones that you love this Christmas, take time to consider the first Christmas gift ever given, when God gave:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God gave because He loved, and that love extends to all the world, not just those who love Him or deserve His love, because none of us do.
What God gave was precious to Him, His Son – Jesus Christ, born as a baby in Bethlehem that first Christmas, into a world of conflict, pain and suffering.
Why did God give? So that we can be reconciled to Him and have hope, as the angels told the shepherds that first Christmas, “born this day in the city of David a Saviour…”. We need a Saviour to rescue us from our sin so that through Him we can receive the most amazing gift – eternal life in heaven.
By Carole Townley