THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

TEXT- JOHN 3:16

INTRODUCTION

TONIGHT THE TITLE OF THE MUSICAL THAT OUR CHILDREN PRESENTED WAS CALLED, "THE BEST GIFT IS JESUS."

CHRISTMAS THESE DAYS HAVE BECOME SO COMMERCIALIZED THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT THE BEST GIFT OF ALL IS THE GIFT THAT GOD SENT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO DIE ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY.

IN DECEMBER 1903, AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS, THE WRIGHT BROTHERS WERE FINALLY SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THEIR "FLYING MACHINE" OFF THE GROUND.  THEY WERE SO THRILLED THAT THEY TELEGRAPHED A MESSAGE TO THEIR SISTER KATHERINE WHICH SAID, "WE HAVE ACTUALLY FLOWN 120 FEET.  WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS."  KATHERINE WAS SO EXCITED THAT SHE RAN TO THE EDITOR OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER TO SHOW HIM THE MESSAGE.  READING IT HE SAID, "HOW NICE.  THE BOYS ARE GOING TO BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS."  HE HAD TOTALLY MISSED THE BIGGEST NEWS ITEM OF HIS CAREER-- THAT MAN HAD FLOWN!

SO MANY PEOPLE TODAY ARE MAKING A SIMILAR MISTAKE WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS.

THEY MISS THE FACT THAT JESUS AND HIS MIRACULOUS BIRTH IS WHAT MAKES CHRISTMAS IMPORTANT AND NOT FAMILY GATHERINGS, SPECIAL MEALS, THE FANCY DECORATIONS OR EVEN THE GIFTS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

TONIGHT I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER THREE REASONS WHY JESUS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT GOD COULD EVER GIVE YOU.