Gifts and the Greatest Gift

James 1:17 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

These verses highlight an important aspect of the character of God. Every good and perfect gift is from above. And with God, there is no variation or shadow due to change. He is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He gives good gifts.

Think back to your life.

What is the greatest physical gift you have ever received?

For me, I’m a very practical kind of person … I think of things like college tuition, my car. For you kids it might be something you were really really hoping for, and that turned up unexpectedly or at the right moment. For others it might be something sentimental that really touched your heart and was personal because it communicated the thought and love the giver put into their selection.

We may have a really good example of a great gift, but God gave a gift that far exceeds all those categories. God gave the greatest gift he could give: himself. Think about that for a moment. The eternal God, existing from all of time in eternity past, with all of his titles, setting them aside to enter into humanity. Imagine being to touch the one who holds the universe together at his very word. When God gave himself to mankind, he took on human flesh to live and dwell with us for eternity.

God gave the best gift because there is no higher good. There is nothing more perfect, nothing we needed more. And he came, not as one arrayed with battle armor and holding a sword, but as a gentle lamb, an innocent child, hungry, dirty, poor. Like the rest of us he was born through blood and water.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This one who was given is the wonderful counselor. He helps us in all that we need in navigating life, in dealing with death or grief or suffering. He counsels us on how to walk with God and to be right with him.

He is the mighty God, the one who heals the sick, who has power over nature, who could summon legions of angels at his command. And yet in his power, in his greatness, he has chosen to walk among you. As a Mighty God, he is humble, personable, close.

Close like the connection a father has to his children. Except, he doesn’t bear the failures of our earthly fathers. He is without sin, without blemish, always steadfast, always constant. He is the Everlasting Father, the one who was and is and is to come, who has existed from eternity past and continues to live and to reign and to exist into eternity future. Through him is everlasting life, which is poured out richly and freely.

He is also the Prince of Peace, the one who heals our brokenness from sin, healing our relationships with one another and with God and settling our debt with God by taking on his wrath on the cross. In his kingdom peace is promoted, and of his prosperity there is no end.

He himself satisfies every single need that you might have. If not now, then in the time to come.

In giving his Son, God sets us an example of the sacrifice, the care, the consideration, and the love in which we are to give.

We give in a way that does not expect anything back. We give in a way that is thoughtful, thankful, glorifying to God, acknowledging him as the provider for all. This Christmas, when we give gifts, let us give in a way that reflects God’s heart of giving, and take time to remember the greatest gift of all, Christ Jesus the son. We celebrate because God has given us the greatest gift of all time.

Let us sing of this great gift this morning.