The Greatest Gift

Good morning paper crafting friends! Christmas day is just around the corner and I know I've been much too busy to find time to play in my craft room. I'm thankful for the gentle reminder that I got the other day that helped me put my life back into focus.

Christmas is not about the presents and twinkling lights, nor the decorations or (dare I say it...) even Santa Claus. It is about the greatest gift ever given to the world by God Himself. The gift of a tiny baby, God in human form, came to earth to love and serve mankind and to show us the way to salvation (having peace with God). He came, knowing the end He would face. Rejection, humiliation, persecution and great suffering. He did it because He loves you (and me) and all of mankind.

In Him we find the gift of forgiveness, love and eternity in Heaven.

THE GIFT
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

The final sacrifice, the perfect Lamb of God

THE PROPHESY
The angel went to her (Mary) and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
~ Luke 1:28-38

THE BIRTH OF JESUS
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
~ Luke 2:7-14

I hope you'll take time out during this busy time of year to reflect on the importance of the real reason we celebrate this holiday and give thanks to God for His unspeakable Gift!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Blessings~ Birgit