As Christmas approaches the memories from my childhood fill my mind. I remember waiting anxiously for the last day of school before the Christmas break, the parties, the visits to my grandparents, and of course, the presents that collected under the tree. I remember gathering around the tree on Christmas Day, watching as all the gifts were handed out, wondering what was in the brightly wrapped packages with my name on it. I remember the joy and laughter that each Christmas Day brought to our house. It seems that every year I sought to receive the “ultimate gift.”

Today I get to witness the same joy and excitement on my own children’s faces, to watch the suspense build as they, too, have seen the packages pile up beneath the Christmas tree. I can almost read the looks on their faces as they search for gifts destined for them, “Is it what I want? Is it what I need? Is it the ultimate gift?”

I ask what is the “ultimate gift?” While growing up, Cabbage Patch Dolls were flying off the shelves. Then came the Playstations. Today a “Wii” system cannot be found. It seems every year something new becomes the “hot item.” But each one of these popular gifts will eventually break, interest will fade, and the gifts will collect dust on a shelf or in a toy box. Then something new will take its place. None of these things is the “ultimate gift.”

I propose to you that the Ultimate Gift has been around since time began and will still be here forever more. The Ultimate Gift is not a “thing.” It cannot be purchased. It cannot be given to us by our parents or grandparents, but is freely given by our Father in heaven. There can be no jealousy because the Ultimate Gift is available to anyone who will accept it. The Ultimate Gift is Christ Jesus whose birth we celebrate every year at Christmas.

The Ultimate Gift brings with it so much more than the few moments of pleasure as with a toy, then stuffed into a toy box.  This gift is love. Deuteronomy 7:9 says “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God. He is the faithful God keeping His covenant of love for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” This gift is life, “that anyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” (John 3:15) This gift is grace, “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 ) This gift is wisdom, for “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

As we gather around our Christmas trees this December 25th, giving and receiving gifts as family and friends, let us remember the Ultimate Gift given to us by our Father God. Let us remember the sacrifice that was made to present us with the Ultimate Gift. And let us accept the gift freely and unconditionally as a token of His love for us. “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)

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)

God bless you and Merry Christmas to all!