Sometimes we take the gifts we’ve been surrounded with all our lives for granted, because we’ve grown so accustomed to them. When we think of the perfect balance of the universe, we can only marvel, even though we don’t understand how it all works. As I was pondering the wonders of God’s creation, my thoughts turned to the many blessings we’ve been given and I counted them one by one.
I began with the most obvious and tangible ones surrounding us. We wouldn’t have life without the warmth of the sun, without the air we breathe, without fresh water to drink, or without the fruit of the trees and the green herbs of the field to eat. We’ve also been given the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, and numerous other creatures and animals.
It all seems so perfect, the whole creation operating in synchrony. What more could be needed? But wait a minute. Isn’t there something missing here? How did this perfect world get here? Was it just an accident? We have to go back to the very beginning when God created our world and everything was perfect, including the first man and woman, Adam and Eve.
When Adam and Eve believed the lies of Satan, and disobeyed God’s instruction to not eat of the tree of good and evil, they lost this perfect paradise—not just for themselves, but for everyone that followed, including you and me. Romans 6:23 tells us: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus came to take our punishment and die in our place, so that through His sacrifice we could have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
Of all the gifts we have ever received, the most precious of all descended from heaven, coming in the form of a little babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. What a glorious day that was! How can we not praise and thank God for giving us this priceless treasure? God’s greatest gift was His own Son, Jesus, given to us freely. The greatest gift you can give back to Him this Christmas is your heart.