What Is The Best Christmas Present?

“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”
(Isaiah 9:6, NIV).

As a young boy, I loved looking at the presents sitting under the tree and guessing what was inside the boxes. My “love language” was gifts, particularly receiving gifts. As an older man, I get much, much more joy in giving gifts than receiving gifts. Now, my favorite gift to receive is time spent with a loved one or friend. I can always make more money, but the most precious gift that we can give or receive is the finite, precious commodity of time.

I will always love Christmas and the Advent season. It is a special time of year for children, families, and the church. The Advent season allows us to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Christ child. I also love all the traditions that come with Christmas — decorating the tree with ornaments that have been passed down from generations, giving and receiving presents, candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve, the smell of gingerbread baking, a fresh pine tree in the house, Christmas songs in the background, and the anticipation of Christmas Day.

The Nativity Story

One of the traditions of Christmas is the Nativity story. The New Testament contains two Christmas stories — they appear in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2. In the familiar version of the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Because there was no room in the inn, the baby Jesus is born in a stable and placed in a manger. It is important to tell the Nativity story each year to help us better understand the Christ portion of Christmas, which is the reason for Christmas.

The Greatest Gift

I think as fathers and priests of our houses, we should also use our time to teach our children about the best Christmas present ever — the blood of Christ on the cross at Calvary. Perhaps the best-known Bible verse is John 3:16, which reads:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We are reconciled to the Father by His gift of His Son. God has provided us a path for forgiveness of sins that leads to life everlasting and salvation. We do not deserve this, but we receive it as the ultimate blessing.

“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
(Ephesians 2:9)

The Gift of Time

Before Jesus laid down His life for us, He gave us His time for approximately three years after He began His public ministry until He rejoined the Father. He walked and talked with us. He opened the eyes of the travelers to Emmaus, healed the blind and lame, and raised up disciples to start His church. We can show the love of Jesus by giving our time as well.

Time is a precious gift from God. Scripture teaches that human life and time on Earth are finite and fleeting. James 4:14 compares life to “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This perspective encourages believers to use their time intentionally and with a heavenly focus.

Closing Reflection

This Advent season, I encourage you to cherish your family, attend church services, and enjoy all the special traditions that make your family unique. Share your time with your family and tell your children or grandchildren the Nativity story — but also tell them that Jesus is the best present. A life lived in Him and for Him will help build His kingdom on earth and will lead to life everlasting. Now that is a gift, and the price has already been paid!