Who doesn’t love Christmas and the memories it brings? It’s also a time when we can celebrate God’s favorite Christmas gift. 

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As you think of your favorite Christmas, what makes it memorable for you? Was it where you spent it, who you spent it with, or the gift you received? Maybe it was unforgettable because of the gift you gave to someone special.

My favorite Christmas was the time I put my name on every gift under the tree. I have a large family with five sisters, plus my mom and dad. My aunt and uncle came over on Christmas Eve to stay the night. While everyone prepared for Christmas Day, I sat on the floor by the Christmas tree with wrapping paper, scissors, and a pen–making new gift tags with my name on them for each one.

The next morning, while my uncle handed out the gifts, the pile in front of me grew larger and larger. The expressions on everyone’s faces were priceless. My mom knew something was not right, and as she looked around the room, her eyes stopped on me. I confessed my deed, and she gave the packages to their rightful owners. We all laughed. My family still reminds me of that Christmas. It is a fun memory for us all.

Have you ever thought about God’s favorite Christmas? Which parts do you think He most fondly remembers?

God created us to have fellowship with Him. But sin penetrated His perfect world, and sin separated us from Him. We could no longer experience life with God, only death without Him. Alone.

Heaven must have been lonely with only the Godhead and a mere myriad of angels and not one human being in sight. He wanted us to live with Him in His home. Therefore, God knew the way to make that happen.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

~John 3:16 ESV

The Father entrusted a young girl with His only Son—a human-carrying deity. She wasn’t the richest, most experienced, or even married. But Mary loved God, and she was the perfect mother for His Son. Even knowing His Son’s life would be threatened before He was two, God still sent Jesus to be born in a dirty cave and laid in a manger of straw in the company of sheep and shepherds. Imagine how proud He must have been on that day and how bittersweet it was when Heaven became even lonelier.

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

~2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV

God watched as the angels rejoiced at His perfect plan. Their instructions were to proclaim the good news to the lonesome shepherds guarding their sheep in a field that night. God didn’t tell the wealthy or the well-known. Instead, He sent His angels to the shepherds, the ones who protected their sheep and looked for the lost lamb. They would understand His King. How the Father must have loved the expression on their faces when His angels ignited the dark sky! I can imagine His eagerness for them to behold His Gift.

God looked forward to the day when His Son would return home–ushering men, women, and children to live with Him forever. Yet, how grievous the sting God felt knowing what Jesus must endure so we could be welcomed into Heaven. Jesus paid the penalty of sin, which was death. He freely died on Calvary’s cross to redeem humanity. He rose from the dead and is with Father God in Heaven. He will return for those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

God put His name on His present, too—Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” All He wants is for us to accept Jesus Christ as His gift. Don’t leave this precious One unopened. God’s favorite Christmas is the most unforgettable because of Whom He gave us. Have you invited God’s Son to become your Savior?

Share your favorite Christmas memory.

Thank You, God, for sending the best Christmas gift ever to dwell among us. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2019: God’s Favorite Christmas Gift: Stephanie Pavlantos: All Rights Reserved