The Greatest Gift

Introduction

Is it the big box with no name on it behind the tree?

Is it the smallest box that looks like a precious jewel might be in?

Is the person the we think of whenever we hear Bing Crobsy sing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas?”

What is your greatest gift?

I can tell you about the time I received a snare drum. I became the best little drummer boy.

Or I can tell you about the time I got got that electric football set, the kind that you set up all the players then flipped the switch and it vibrated to make them move. It took forever to play that game!

Sometimes the gift disappoints us. Every year I reminded of the time my Granny Mitchell wrapped a bunch of presents and accidently dropped the packages causing the name tags to fall off. My sister got this nice toboggan and I got a nice pair of girls underwear. That wasn’t the greatest gift!

The Bible speaks of gifts:

James 1:17 NIV84

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Romans 6:23 NIV84

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 NIV84

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV84

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

The Greatest Gift that has ever been given, is the gift of Jesus Christ.

I want to take two very familiar verses and show you three very practical applications great gift that God has given us in Christ Jesus.

The verses are found in the Old Testament in the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV84

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.