My mom recently gave my seven-year-old son a monthly subscription box that sends him a science experiment every month. It really is a cool thing to get in the mail. When he opened the first box and completed the experiment, he was so proud and excited to show everyone what he had made. After we watched him demonstrate the experiment multiple times, I said to him, “Man, I can’t wait to see what comes next month!” He was very confused, “What so you mean?” he asked rather curious. “You’re going to keep getting boxes with experiments every month” I tried to explain. “There’s more? I get more than this gift?” his mind was blown. “Yeah, it's the gift that keeps on giving” I said, knowing he had never heard that phrase before.
Then it hit me. Isn’t Jesus death and resurrection the ultimate gift that keeps on giving? This time of year, we focus on the birth of Jesus Christ and the gift He was and is to us from God the Father. Then there is his death and resurrection which keeps on giving to us. There is a word for this. Sanctification.
Jesus Christ was and is a gift. He came to this earth, fulfilling prophesy.
He will be born of a virgin…
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
He will come from Bethlehem…
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2
He will be a descendant of David…
"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. Jeremiah 23:5
He came for us.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
He came because God loves us.
“For God so loved the world that he sent his only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Here is the “keeps on giving” part.
He continues to work in us.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” Philippians 2:12-23
He will complete us.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”. Philippians 1:6
We walk daily in our newness.
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life”. Romans 6:1-4
His mercy is new everyday.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a] his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
So, Jesus’ birth was the ultimate gift. His death and resurrection keep on giving to us.
As you spend this holiday season with friends and family, take time to reflect on the gift that is Jesus Christ and what his birth brought to this world. Then think about what his death and resuraction means for you. Release from the bondage of sin!
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