Changed by Christmas

Day Ten – The Most Precious Gift

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

The time had finally come for the Messiah to be born. This event had been prophesied through the ages, and it had finally come to pass. Yet it could have seemed so insignificant—a common couple finding shelter in a stable. Visualize in your mind for a few moments what it must have been like in that stable. Smell the scent of the animals and the musty odor of the hay. Hear the sounds of the animals as they are oblivious to what has just happened. But Mary and Joseph are ecstatic over their firstborn son, the Messiah promised by the angel. Do you think Mary may have wondered what He would look like? Would He look different from any other baby? They must have been in awe at really being able to look into the eyes of God’s Son as their precious baby boy. Think of the wonder they must have felt. Describe the emotions you can imagine they felt.
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Mary and Joseph could possibly have looked into the eyes of Jesus and asked themselves, “What do we do with You now—the promised Messiah? How do we care for the child of the God of the universe?” This prompts me to ask myself a similar question: “What do I do with the gift of Jesus?”

I think about how every year we get some Christmas presents that go on a shelf in the closet and never get used, then we get some that we use occasionally, and we get others that we love and use all the time. Which of these categories does Jesus fit in? Have you put Him on a shelf to never use, or have you put Him where you can get to Him when you need Him in an emergency, or have you taken Him as the most precious gift ever received and continually allowed Him full reign over your heart? Jesus doesn’t want to be tucked away in a corner of your heart only to be used in emergencies. He wants to be the guiding force of your life. He wants to be the most precious gift you will ever receive because He is! What, then, do we do with this precious gift? List some things that you have done with the gift of Jesus.
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Here are some ideas:

First, you accept Jesus as your personal Savior, which is the purpose for which He was born. Have you accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection as payment for your sins and given your life to Him? ____________ If not, why? _______________________________________________

Second, you spend time with Him every day, allowing Him to fill you with His power and presence so that you are able to handle whatever comes your way. Do you have daily Bible study and prayer time, quiet times with God? _____________ If so, consider the quality of these times and ask God to show you ways to make them more meaningful and impactful on your life. If you don’t, would you consider starting this practice and challenging yourself to study the Bible daily, allowing God to apply it to your heart and life so that you live in a way that is consistent with its teachings? _____________

Third, you go about your day doing the things that you know God wants you to do. This includes such activities as working a job to provide for your family, cleaning your house and preparing meals to meet the needs of your family, and various other activities that you know He wants you to do. You do these activities to the very best of your ability because you know that He requires the best of you and He can empower you to give your best. How would you rate your consistency in doing the things you know God wants you to do to the best of the ability He gives you?

____ all the time ____ frequently ____ occasionally ____ never

Fourth, as you go about these activities, you share Him with others so that they can know, too, the joy of this precious gift. It’s incredible to think that many people around us don’t even know about the most precious gift ever given to mankind. They may know His name and a few facts about Him, but they may not have a clue as to who He really is and that He wants a personal relationship with them. What can you do to be more focused on sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others? _______________________________________________________________________

Fifth, you help others in need around you, realizing that you are God’s hands to them. A vital way that God ministers to the needy is by the hands of His children. We must be sensitive to His voice and obedient to do what He asks us to do. Evaluate your servant spirit. Do you need to improve in your ability to set your desires aside to serve others? ____________

Considering the five steps discussed, look back at each one and write your plan to be more effective and intentional in each area so that you can make the impact on the world that God desires of you. You cannot do it on your own, but if you allow God to pour into you His words and wisdom, He will accomplish things through you that you would never have imagined.

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Consider what you will do with the gift of Jesus. Which category of gifts will He be in—the one that gets put on the shelf and never used, the one that is used occasionally, or the one that is taken to heart as the most precious possession you have?