The Greatest Gift

“Away in a manger” the song begins. The night the only begotten Son of God was born in a stable in Bethlehem was the beginning of the new future of mankind.

This child that was conceived by the Spirit of God was born to be the believer’s only required sacrifice. Yes, there are many that twist this and seemingly think it cruelty, but in fact it was the Greatest Gift ever given to Man. The fact is a sacrifice is required to pay for the sins of men.

Some cannot seem to understand why, but the truth is we do not have to understand why God requires a sacrifice for sin, and I believe that Psalms 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” explains it all.

Oh, how often we take that precious gift for granted. We so easily become lukewarm Christians, and some even become like Demas, the man Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy 4.  People seem to love the world so much they neglect to remember the gift they have been given, and others refuse to believe at all.

It seems strange to me that any talking head on the television can convince people of some falsehood without any proof whatsoever and that falsehood will become a foundation of their belief, but let someone tell them the Gospel of Christ and they will categorically deny it.

That thought occurred to me this morning. I have been having a rather traumatic health issue and in that have been given much time to contemplate God’s Word. In my times of contemplation I began to understand the realism of not having the promise of tomorrow.

When I sat down and began to write, the hard fact that this could be the last thing I ever write came to mind. Sobering thought, isn’t it? Well, I think it is a gain for me, and hopefully I can explain how this can be gained for you all as well.

We all have suffered loss, and some more than others, but when mortality hits you in a very real way it brings a different set of thoughts. It’s amazing how analytically and responsibly we begin to think in times like this. Things we need to take care of and get done to help and prepare those left behind.

I’m not talking about the normally thought of things like insurance and wills, but things like how your loved ones can access your electronic devices and who you would like them to contact. Other things like notifying friends and folks you trust for sound advice about disposing of your belongings.

It is a strange circumstance to find yourself contemplating these things and making arrangements for your absence.

Without my total dedication and trust in God, I would have no idea what this situation might look and feel like. Thank God I don’t have to live through that.

If it were not for Jesus the Son of God being born in the stable in Bethlehem so many years ago to be my path to Salvation, I would be lost.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever Believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting Life.” John 3:16

It was the Jew who had a pathway to Heaven through animal sacrifice, but not the gentile. God’s desire was that none should perish, and He loved us all so much He sent His Son to die on a cross in payment for the sins of men.

So the next time you hear “Away in a Manger” or any other christian Christmas carol, pause for a moment and think of just how wonderful that Greatest Gift of Jesus Christ really is!

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple