In a Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown cracks open his piggy bank and says, “Look, I’ve got $9.11 to spend on Christmas this year.”
Lucy is not at all impressed. With hands on hips she says, “Charlie Brown, you can’t possibly buy something for everyone on your Christmas list with $9.11.”
“Oh yeah?” Charlie Brown retorts, “Well, I’m sure going to try!”
“Then,” Lucy continues, “they are sure going to be cheap presents!”
“No they won’t be Lucy,” Charlie Brown argues, “because nothing is cheap if it costs you all you have.”
Friends, that little story helps us remember a couple of important lessons. First, it reminds us that the value of a gift cannot really be measured in dollars and cents. The thoughts, intentions, and motives of the giver are far more significant than how much money he or she spent on the gift. For example, let’s say that this Christmas you receive a beautiful sweater from your brother-in-law which cost $50. You realize, however, that probably the only reason you are receiving this present is because he picked your name in the family gift exchange. On the other hand, your four year-old daughter gives you a pair of socks that she picked out by herself, paid for with her own money, and wrapped with her own hands. Though she may have paid only three dollars for the socks, you will likely think of it as a far better gift than the sweater. We need to remember that the most valuable gifts under the Christmas tree this year are the ones which are given with the most love.
Secondly, we need to realize that the greatest gift of all, one which is priceless, is God’s gift of salvation through His own Son, Jesus Christ. This is what the Apostle Paul says is God’s “indescribable gift.” Though God offers this salvation freely to all who put their trust in Jesus, this is certainly not a “cheap gift.” The price paid was Jesus’ death on the cross. It cost the Lord Jesus everything—His very life—to procure our salvation. Yet out of love, He gladly did that for you and for me. Jesus gave His all—His life—so that all who trust in Him would find life.
A few years ago Cross Pen used this advertisement: “When it comes to giving, it’s the thought that counts. Some thoughts, though, count more than others.” Friends, no thought counts more than the fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.” Salvation through Jesus Christ is the heart of the Christmas story. It is truly a priceless gift. May God help us to gladly receive this gift and to cherish it every day of our lives.
Lucy is not at all impressed. With hands on hips she says, “Charlie Brown, you can’t possibly buy something for everyone on your Christmas list with $9.11.”
“Oh yeah?” Charlie Brown retorts, “Well, I’m sure going to try!”
“Then,” Lucy continues, “they are sure going to be cheap presents!”
“No they won’t be Lucy,” Charlie Brown argues, “because nothing is cheap if it costs you all you have.”
Friends, that little story helps us remember a couple of important lessons. First, it reminds us that the value of a gift cannot really be measured in dollars and cents. The thoughts, intentions, and motives of the giver are far more significant than how much money he or she spent on the gift. For example, let’s say that this Christmas you receive a beautiful sweater from your brother-in-law which cost $50. You realize, however, that probably the only reason you are receiving this present is because he picked your name in the family gift exchange. On the other hand, your four year-old daughter gives you a pair of socks that she picked out by herself, paid for with her own money, and wrapped with her own hands. Though she may have paid only three dollars for the socks, you will likely think of it as a far better gift than the sweater. We need to remember that the most valuable gifts under the Christmas tree this year are the ones which are given with the most love.
Secondly, we need to realize that the greatest gift of all, one which is priceless, is God’s gift of salvation through His own Son, Jesus Christ. This is what the Apostle Paul says is God’s “indescribable gift.” Though God offers this salvation freely to all who put their trust in Jesus, this is certainly not a “cheap gift.” The price paid was Jesus’ death on the cross. It cost the Lord Jesus everything—His very life—to procure our salvation. Yet out of love, He gladly did that for you and for me. Jesus gave His all—His life—so that all who trust in Him would find life.
A few years ago Cross Pen used this advertisement: “When it comes to giving, it’s the thought that counts. Some thoughts, though, count more than others.” Friends, no thought counts more than the fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.” Salvation through Jesus Christ is the heart of the Christmas story. It is truly a priceless gift. May God help us to gladly receive this gift and to cherish it every day of our lives.
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