RCF 251223 - Christmas Celebration - Yasmin Chaffer - Christmas Gift

Christmas. Everyone, What are you like at Christmas or in your household when

it comes to gifts? Do you rip them open before breakfast or are you

one of those sub controlled types that leave them un till later. Hopefully you've

all received special gifts before, be it at Christmas or at other times of

the year, and I'm sure we've all given special gifts Tea. And whilst

we appreciate all gifts, it's not necessarily the most expensive ones, which are

the ones that mean the most. It's maybe ones which make us laugh.

For example, for my birthday, somebody gave me some books with my name

on Yas'm in the Gardener for those of you who know me, that's really

funny. I quite like this one, as you've never seen me before.

Yes, I'm in the Superhero. Those gifts that say I know you mean

so much, though, too, don't they. I've been really blessed because

I've also had gifts that have told me that God hurt my heart and the

person giving the gift had no idea. Jeremiah one five says, before I've

formed you in the womb, I knew you. Psalm one hundred and thirty

nine, Verse one says Lord, you have searched me and known me.

God knows you. God knows you, God knows you. The most significant

and meaningful gift that I, Heavenly Father could give us Jesus, whose birth

we celebrate at Christmas, as one that will be unwrapping unpacking for the rest

of our lives. It's the gift of love in its purest form, expressed

continually to us in so many ways. The precious gift of Jesus, God's

own son, tells not just the whole world, but each one of us

individually, that he knows us. He demonstrates it to us in so many

different ways in how he speaks to us individually. For example, in Matthew

two, verses one to twelve, he tells us how the Magi, who

were a type of priest largely associated with astrology. So the Magii brought gifts

to Jesus after his birth of gold, frankincense, and mirth. Whilst the

Bible doesn't tell us explicitly the significance of these gifts, they can be seen

as symbolic. I had a quick look on the Internet and for example,

gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible, so the

gift of gold to the Christ Child was symbolic of his divinity God in flesh.

It is also a precious mess a metal, and as such a valuable

commodity. Its value could well have financed Joseph and Mary's trip to Egypt when

they fled with the young Jesus from the king Herod, who wanted to kill

him. Frank Incense is a white resin or gum obtained from a tree by

making incisions in the bark and allowing the gun to flow out. It is

highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned

as an offering to God. So the gift of frankincense can be seen as

symbolic of Jesus' willingness to become a sacrifice. Merr, a product of Arabia,

was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was

a spice and used in embalming. Merr symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction.

The baby Jesus grow to suffer great year as a man and would pay

the ultimate price when he gave his life on the cross, so that those

who would believe in him would have everlasting life and be with him forever.

At the end of the song in the Bleak Midwinter, the lyrics say,

if I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb. But what I

can I give him? I give my heart. This is the most precious

gift that we can give Jesus. What does it mean for you for me

to give our hearts to Jesus this Christmas? If you've already surrendered your life

your heart to Jesus in acknowledging him as your Lord and savior, what gift

can you give him of significance? I know I raised this question in my

sermon recently, but believe the Lord wanted me to raise this again. If

something springs to mind, immediately great decision and a commitment in your heart to

give to Jesus whatever He's put on your heart. If nothing springs to mind,

then listen. It's such an easy step to miss, but taking that

time to listen to the Lord is a gift to him in itself, regardless

of whether we hear anything at the time or whether he speaks later. It

shows him that we value him. That's what listening to someone does. If

nothing comes to your heart, ask the Lord to help you to create special

time to worship Him today. Worshiping God, creative the whole universe, the

One True Holy God who created heaven and earth and all mankind is our highest

calling too, and He gifted us Jesus so that we could belong to him

and be part of His family for eternity. Worshiping God are heavenly fun is

also a gift that tells him I know you. He also knows what it

costs us personally, for example, where life isn't great when it hurts.

So let's pray, Father God, thank you so much for the ultimate gift

of your precious son, Jesus. We're so grateful. We want to give

you something precious this Christmas too. Please show each one of us what the

most significant gift is that we can give you because we want to bless you.

Lord, We love you and thank you for Jesus. Amen.