During this season of gift taking (or giving), there is only one gift that matters. That gift is the one that God gave us many years ago. The gift of His holy Son, Jesus Christ is the only one that matters.

Jesus left His perfect home in heaven to be born into a world that hated Him. He had enemies from before He was born. People diligently searched for Him for the sole purpose of killing Him. His earthly parents had to live a lifestyle of the hunted from the time Jesus was a small child. They returned to Jerusalem to worship God when He was a young teenager (approximately 13 years of age). After all the hiding and running and secrecy, they lost track of their young son in the crowd and didn't realize He was missing until they were a few miles away from Jerusalem.

Can you imagine their horror in realizing that they had misplaced God's only Son? After all the years of being so diligent, they had lost Jesus. Have you lost Jesus? Have you spent years keeping Him safe in your heart and then realized that you have lost track of Him?

You see, it is easy for us to judge Mary and Joseph and say that they should have took more care in that crowd in Jerusalem. But, it is easy for us to justify our actions when we lose Him. We get tied up in earthly things (such as Christmas, or other holidays or seasons) and sometimes forget that these earthly things are not important.

What is important is that God always comes first in our lives, even through earthly holidays and seasons. God loves us enough to give up His only Son for us. He sent His only Son to be chased like a criminal, tortured, and nailed to a cross. Why would a Father do this? Because of His love for others. Why God's Son? Because He was the only one that could resist the earthly pressures of life. Jesus Christ is the only One that would never give in to anything that came against Him. Yes, He hurt and was in great pain. Yes, He suffered more than any human being can imagine. Jesus Christ did this so that we all may live a better life. That life is not just in the future; but, we can also live a better life while here on earth. That is God's gift to us. Eternal life, yes, was given to us. But, God and Jesus Christ also gave us life here on earth.

How do you receive (or take) this gift? By reaching out and taking it. God and Jesus have been holding out this gift to you ever since Jesus came (actually before that). There is only one thing you can do to receive the Gift. Reach out and grab hold of it.

For instance, if someone offers you an earthly gift, that gift does not really become yours until you reach out your hand and take it. Then, it is yours. This is the same with Jesus Christ. He is not yours until you reach out and grab hold of Him.

Talk to God. Tell Him that you accept the Gift He is giving you. Jesus Christ is holding out His life to you. All you have to do is accept Him. Talk to God and tell Him you accept. After all, there is only ONE GIFT that matters. The Gift of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Won't you accept Him today?

Ephesians 6