“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Christmas is all about the Gift. A priceless Gift. An indescribable Gift. The greatest Gift of all.

Some two millennia ago the Father, out of His inestimable love for the world, sent His priceless Gift packaged in flesh and delivered in humble circumstances.

It was the right time. Roman roads had been built which would carry the news through the civilized world. The Greek language was universal in readiness for the proclamation of the event. In the heart of some people there was an expectancy that the Gift was on the way.

On top of this, the Father had arranged for a reception. A legion of angels heralded the occasion announcing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” This was followed by wise men travelling from the east to come and welcome the Gift with presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Apart from that the Gift was barely noticed. Work continued as usual. There was no tremendous upheaval in day-to-day activities. And the Advent wasn’t spread throughout the world.

However, one ruler later heard about it and, feeling threatened, tried to eliminate the Gift by sending his soldiers on a murderous rampage through the vicinity in which it had arrived.

But the Father was prepared. He wasn’t going to sit back and see the Gift destroyed. One of the angels was dispatched to deliver a message warning of the impending danger and the Gift was whisked off to safety during the course of the night.

Of course there’s much more to the story. Suffice to say we continue to remember the Advent of the Gift by giving each other presents. For, after all, Christmas is the day of the Gift, the day we remember the greatest of gifts, the day we celebrate the birthday of the Gift, the day we rejoice because the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ. The day we say, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15.