​The Gift Of A Lifetime

Luke 2:1-20
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
              “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
 
One Christmas afternoon, a little 5 year old girl named Ruth visited a church. The Pastor went over to say hello, and to welcome her. The Pastor asked the little girl, “so…did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? After a moment’s hesitation, she answered, "No… but then it’s not my birthday!"
 
Isn’t it easy to get so wrapped up in the celebration that we forget what it is we are supposed to be celebrating? The world does that. It has become politically incorrect to say Merry Christmas- they want is to say Happy Holidays or Merry X-mas. We have the Jewish day of Hannakuh, or the African celebration of Kwanzza to compete for the place that belongs to the Son of God. But even without buying into the world’s ways, one can easily forget what Christmas is all about by forgetting Jesus.
 
This is one of the most wonderful time of the year…today it’s Christmas Eve and many are waiting with anticipation to see what gifts we will get. Many are wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper, decorated with bows, and pretty ribbons.
 
One very special night, the world received to most precious Gift. A Gift that we can unwrap everyday for all eternity. “The Gift Of A Lifetime”.
 
I want us all to see that on that day…when baby Jesus came…He gave us all…an instant Gift.
 
 
Luke 2:6-7
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
Because of the birth of this baby…because of the life that now existed in Him…we all can received the gift of life, the gift of hope, the gift of forgiveness, most of all, the gift of eternity.
 
Matt 1:21-23
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
 
Having received the most precious gift…and that is our Lord Jesus, we have received the gift that will take a lifetime to unwrap. When Jesus was born that day in Bethlehem, it was just the beginning of the gift unwrapping.
 
You see…Jesus came wrapped in swaddling clothes…a gift for us all to know, to receive and to unwrap, and not just once, but everyday for the rest of our lives.
 
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
 
Just when we think we have unwrapped all we can…like the last present on Christmas…God allows you and I, to unwrap a little more of His wonderful Gift everyday, like…
 
The gifts like peace, joy, love, faith, kindness, gentleness, meekness, understanding, application, revelation, tribulation, and on and on. Having the Gift that was wrapped in swaddling clothes, comes with an enormous value…
 
2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
 
Who can begin to put a price on the gift that God has given us through His Son Jesus? The Shepherds realized what an enormous gift they had been given.
 
Luke 2:20
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
 
The wise men understood as they tried to bring gifts to present to a King, but they knew that His life was worth much more than gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But this is all they could come up with, this was that they could give to the King.
 
What gift can compare to never dying, never suffering, crying, feeling pain, but to live eternally in a place called paradise? This is indescribable at best, and it is of enormous value…it was the greatest Gift ever given. It was given to each and everyone of us FREELY…it costs us nothing. The Gift was from God…and the life of His One and Only Son.
 
Many time’s when we get things that are precious to us…that are of enormous value, we want to keep it for ourselves. But... that’s not what Jesus wants us to do…He doesn’t want us to keep it, He wants us to give it away. I know its wrong to brag about the gifts that we receive, but believe me when I say this, brag about…tell everyone about “The Gift Of A Lifetime”.
 
This gift that we have been given that takes a lifetime to unwrap was meant for us to give to others. It is not just our gift, but a gift for all to receive. The Shepherds in the field realized that…look at vs. 17-18…
 
Luke 2:17-18
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 
This time of Christmas is a time to give the most precious, indescribable gift ever given…to spread the word of what you have been given, and been told about this Child. Let everyone around you see Jesus in you.
 
Luke 2:20
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
 
They realized that they’re life would never be the same again from that day forward. Such is the same response to all who embrace the gift of the Christ-child.
 
Before I received this precious Gift…I walked this earth alone…forsaken…without hope, and without life. But after receiving this Gift…Jesus walks with me everyday…I will never be alone.
 
Deuteronomy 31:8
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
 
Because a Baby named Jesus was born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, born to do the will of God…to be the perfect Gift for all who believe. We have received “The Gift Of A Lifetime”. Yes…this gift that takes a lifetime to unwrap, enriches every life that receives it.
 
In Conclusion:
 
I know many of us can’t wait to unwrap those gifts that await us when we get home. But I want to remind us all that the unwrapping of the most precious gift of all is not just to be unwrapped once on Christmas day. It is a gift that is meant to be unwrapped everyday…for the rest of our lives.
 
Church…As we unwrap that Gift we all can see that it is…A Gift that is instantly ours when we receive it. A Gift that takes a lifetime of unwrapping. A Gift that’s of Enormous value. A Gift that is to be given away. A Gift that enriches every life that receives it.
 
My family and I, greet all of you a very Merry Christmas….