Choose the Right Gifts

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Christmas is For All People   There’s No Christmas without the Cross By Rick Warren — Dec 25, 2015 “For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity — the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT, second edition) Christmas without the cross is irrelevant. If Jesus had just stayed a baby in a manger, you could stop reading this right now — it’s pointless. Without the cross, there’s no reason to spend an entire month getting ready for the celebration of his birth. There’s no reason to put up Christmas lights, play music, send cards, or buy gifts. The whole world shuts down one day a year to celebrate a day that split history into A.D. and B.C. God came to Earth and invaded human history. And because he did, the world will never be the same. But it wouldn’t have mattered a lick without the cross. God sent his Son as the Savior for the whole world so that all people can know him. The Bible says, “For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity — the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT, second edition). In the Bible the symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice of himself is called the “Sacrificial Lamb.” The Bible uses this metaphor because lambs are harmless. They’re not predators. They’re innocent. Jesus didn’t hurt anyone, and he did not deserve to die. He was the Son of God, but God allowed him to be sacrificed for us — all of us. God knows the pain of losing a child, because he sent his Son to die in your place. And he did that for every person who has ever walked the planet. No person is beyond the love and reach of God. Not even you. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Why is the cross so important to Christmas? What can you do this Christmas to remember and honor the price Jesus paid to connect you to his heavenly Father? Why do some people believe they are beyond the reach of God’s love and forgiveness? What can you do to help someone understand this Christmas what Jesus did for him or her on the cross? Today’s Scripture

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him gifts...” (Matthew 2:11, NIV)

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Choose the Right Gifts

Can you image how the wise men felt as they first looked upon our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! As part of their worship, they wanted to give Him gifts. They gave valuable presents to symbolize the love, honor and appreciation in their hearts. In the same way, you show your love and appreciation to God with gifts of worship, and you can show your love and appreciate to others by the gifts you bring. As you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during this holiday season, don’t just focus on the gifts you bring in the natural; focus on gifts of love, kindness and encouragement. Go out of your way to show honor to others just like the wise men went out of their way to show honor to Jesus. When you walk in love and peace, that is the place of blessing.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, today I set my mind and heart on You. Help me to choose the right gifts this holiday season—gifts of love, kindness and peace. Have Your way in my heart and let Your goodness shine through me in Jesus’ name! Amen.”