Remember the old Christmas song I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas? It was pretty funny. Some of us may think we’re gettin’ nuttin’ for Christmas as well. Maybe we don’t have any friends. Maybe we decided not to do a gift exchange this year. Or maybe we think we’re getting’ nuttin’ because like the lyrics of the song says…we ain’t been nuttin’ but bad. However, we have access to many gifts because God is the greatest gift giver of all.
God’s gifts aren’t limited to Christmastime. We have the gift of life and most of us have food, clothing, and shelter which are blessings many don’t have. However, many precious gifts we have are linked to Jesus and would not be available had He not come to earth. So in the spirit of Christmas I’ll focus on a few of those.
Forgiveness: Christ was born as a baby, lived among us, and when he grew up he gave his life as a sacrifice so our sins would be forgiven. (John 10:17, 18) Through Christ our sins are forgiven and no longer remembered. (Hebrews 8:12) The slate has been wiped clean. No need to remain guilt ridden, for God does not condemn us. There remains no condemnation for those in Christ. (Romans 8:1, 2) Christ paid the penalty for us, so we wouldn’t have to. He died for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9) This is a gift because we did nothing to earn or even deserve it. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
Grace: Grace means getting something good that we don’t deserve. God gives us his unmerited favor. Unmerited means we did nothing to earn God’s favor or grace, but we have it all the same. And it is through this grace that we are justified. (Titus 3:7) That means not only do we escape the death penalty but we are declared righteous before God. (Romans 3:24) We cannot earn righteousness. We are saved not by our works but by grace. (Romans 11:6) Grace is a gift from God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Redemption: Now forgiveness and grace are wonderful gifts but God went one step further. Because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins we have been redeemed. What does that mean exactly? Redemption was often used in ancient times in reference to buying a slave. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus we have been purchased by him, bought with the price of his death. That means we are no longer “slaves” to sin. It also means we are no longer our own. We belong to God. He is our Master. However, God doesn’t consider us his slaves, but his children. (Galatians 4:4-5) That’s quite a gift!
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Salvation: Salvation is one of the gifts given to all believers. It’s the gift of eternal life. (Romans 6:23) Salvation can only come through Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) Jesus lived, died, and lived again when he was resurrected. This resurrection was victory over what all of us fear most – death. Christ’s resurrection was not only his victory, but ours, too. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Because of this victory Christ lives…and because Christ lives, we can live also. (Romans 6:8-11)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Sometimes when we receive Christmas gifts we focus on the gifts instead of the motive behind them. God’s motive in all His Christmas gifts for us is love. “For God so loved the world…” That’s you and me. Of course, it’s up to us to accept these gifts or reject them, but if we’re gettin’ nuttin’ for Christmas it’s by choice because plenty of gifts have been made available – all because Christ the Savior was born.
