Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

PASTOR'S PENS 2008

December 14th “There has been only one Christmas; the rest are anniversaries.”                                                                                                        W.J. Cameron One dating service recently discovered that 36% of women would end a relationship over what they deemed an inadequate Christmas gift. This was particularly the case when the present was the latest in a series of let-downs within the relationship. Examples of gifts which were deemed inadequate included cooking utensils, cleaning products and a sticky tape dispenser.             When it comes to the “Gift” that our Heavenly Father gave us that first Christmas, not only is it infinite...it’s indescribable because it is so wonderful. The Apostle Paul writes, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15). Not only is this gift indescribable, it’s also...             1)  A personal gift. When you buy a gift for someone it should be a personal gift. We're not shopping for ourselves. You need to buy the person you’re shopping for a personal gift...a gift that fits them.             God gave each of us a personal gift by giving His only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). He came for everyone. He didn’t just come for the rich or the poor, or for old or young. He did not just come for people from the United States. He came for everyone, for all sinners. Red, yellow, black or white. The gift of God's Son was for you. He came and died for you personally and we all need this gift because we're all sinners. Most of us like to think that we're good people but we're not. I'm sure I've broken every single one of the Ten Commandments. A lot of people think that because I'm a pastor I'm a good person…I'm not. We needed this personal indescribable gift because we're all sinners.             2) A practical gift. When we go Christmas shopping for those we love, it doesn't have to be the best or most expensive gift. As the old saying goes “it's the thought that counts.”             Two young boys were discussing the upcoming Christmas season and the toys they hoped to receive. One kid explained to the other, "Money can't buy happiness, you know. To be happy, you have to convert the money into toys."             All of us know what it's like to get a gift you really don't want or can't use, and all of us have gotten them. Jesus, though, has given us the most practical gift of all, forgiveness of our sins and eternal life for those who turn to Him. It’s something that we all need and something that we all must have. Without it we will die and go into a Christless eternity. With it, we will live eternally in heaven. How much more practical could you get? 3) A permanent gift.  The gifts that we give should be something that has lasting value. Not something cheaply made that breaks the first day it’s used and the warranty never expires. It should also be something that will keep one’s interest beyond Christmas day. We've all seen children who receive various expensive gifts for Christmas but by the end of the day they’re playing with the box.             God gave us the permanent gift of eternal life. Jesus said in John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." Jesus laid down His own life so that we could have this permanent gift. He wrapped himself in human flesh and took on the form of a man. He bore our sins and took our shame. The King of all Kings was born in a little stable. And He did all this so that we could have this permanent gift.             4) A purchased gift. It's always a good idea to purchase the gift you're going to buy and not just walk out of the store with it. So please make sure you pay for your gifts!! However, Jesus has already purchased the greatest gift for us that there ever will be…that's our salvation. As John 3:16 says, "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."             It's God who gave us this gift. It's His Son, Jesus, who gave His life for us so that we could have forgiveness and eternity in heaven. It's beyond belief. It's so beyond our comprehension, we want to know what the catch is. That's why Paul calls it God's indescribable gift! Yet, like any gift, God’s gift does you no good unless you personally accept it. Unless you've personally accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, it's just a nice story.             My friend, have you accepted God's indescribable gift? Have you made it personal? What a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas by accepting God's indescribable gift as your own!