The Gift of Jesus: What’s the Point of Christmas?
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? And what made it so special? Gifts are often tied to love, thoughtfulness, and connection. But what if the greatest gift is one we didn’t expect—or even ask for?
The Gift of Jesus—A Radical Act of Grace
Christmas is a season of receiving and giving gifts. According to Gallup, American consumers are expected to spend over $1000 on gifts this Christmas (1). This is a slight increase from last year. We are all just trying to find the best gift. In the book of John, we are reminded that we already have the best gift.
John 3:16 says,"For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!”
What does it mean for Jesus to be a gift to the world? God loved the world so much that He gave His Son freely out of love for humanity. This is a gift. A gift that is not earned but offered as grace to a broken world.
This gift is so radical. It’s not just for the deserving or faithful but for everyone, including skeptics and seekers. This gift matters because of the impact the gift has on our lives. He brings hope to despair, peace to chaos, and restoration to brokenness (Isaiah 9:6). What if the gift of Jesus isn’t about religion or rules but about a relationship rooted in unconditional love? This includes forgiveness, belonging, purpose, and a personal connection to God. God’s gift of Jesus is a radical act of grace, freely given to a broken world.
Receiving the Gift—Even When You’re Unsure
What does it mean to accept a gift from someone you’re not sure you trust or believe in? Grace is hard to accept because it’s freely given, not earned. It’s hard because we are so used to obligation. Think about receiving an invitation to a party from someone you’re not sure you trust. You wonder if you’ll fit in or if it’s a mistake. Grace is like that—it’s an invitation to belong, even if you don’t feel ready or certain.
You don’t have to have all the answers to take the first step toward receiving this gift. It’s okay to approach it with questions and uncertainty. It’s okay to wonder. It’s okay to be curious. It’s okay to belong before you believe. Grace meets us in our feelings of unworthiness. It’s not about what we’ve done but about who God is—a giver of unearned, unconditional love.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This passage underscores that grace is God’s gift, not something we earn.”
Reflection and Action
Reflection Questions:
What does the idea of unconditional love and grace mean to you?
If someone gave you a gift that could change your life, would you be willing to open it? Why or why not?
Actionable Practice
Take a moment this week to think about areas of your life where you’ve felt undeserving of love or grace.
Consider what it would mean to receive a gift that says, “You are worthy, just as you are.”
The Gift of Christmas
Christmas isn’t just a celebration—it’s an invitation to experience the transformative gift of Jesus. What does the gift of Jesus mean to you? Let’s explore this together. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we continue to journey through faith together
1 https://news.gallup.com/poll/652664/consumers-plan-generous-holiday-spending.aspx
