Nena Arias | December 19, 2022
So many people look forward with anticipation for a season of gift-giving or a special occasion coming up in their lives. They have probably been dropping hints to their loved ones of what they would like to receive at that special time of either a birthday, anniversary or at Christmas only to perhaps be disappointed when that perfect gift they have been dreaming about doesn’t come. And if it does, soon or in time the excitement will wear out fade into the oblivion of their memories and the fantastical feeling is gone and they begin to build up another illusion in their minds in much the same manner as the previous one.
In earthly life there seems to be no end to this cycle only to end up with the same dissatisfied feeling over and over again. Most people don’t realize that the longing in their soul to arrive at true happiness and contentment has nothing to do with interpersonal relationships or earthly material things no matter how costly, exotic or luxurious these may be.
What they are truly sensing is the longing in their soul which can never be satisfied with anything earthly.
The most significant gift ever given to humanity is the one given by God. It is the only gift that makes the difference in making all things better in this life and a guaranty for entrance in the one to come, providing His knowledge is applied daily.
The following Scripture portions are just a small view of the meaning of Jesus’s presence on earth 2000 years ago. Take the time to receive God’s priceless gift and ponder the content of these Scriptures and make them your own:
“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18)
“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.” (Isaiah 9:6)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God…. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:16-18, 36)
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life…” (John 6:40)
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:4-10)
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,” (John 8:31b)
“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9)
“..so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
“…whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6)
“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19)
As you can see, the meaning of Christmas is there for us every day and throughout all of our earthly existence and beyond.
Merry Christmas, indeed!