The Perfect Gift

Greetings beloved!

Here's a Christmas message I hope you enjoy.

Have you finished all of your shopping yet? If you’re like me, you will be running out on Christmas Eve looking for that last gift.

It’s not because I’m unorganized or that the person I’m buying for isn’t important to me, it’s just that they’re the hardest to shop for.

There are some folks that are hard to shop for. You have no idea what they need or want, you don't know what size or color to look for, or maybe they’re just plain picky.

But, God knows exactly what we need. He gives us good and perfect gifts. To help us keep our spiritual perspective in these last days leading up to Christmas let us be reminded of God's greatest gift to us.

The coming of the Messiah was promised first to Adam, then to Abraham. Every Jewish woman wondered if she might be the one through whom the Messiah would be born. Mary met God’s qualifications in both her character and her lineage for giving birth to the Messiah of Israel. Her character was as important to God as her ancestry: She was pure, and a virgin. Mary probably never even guessed, however, that she would be God’s prepared and chosen women.

Then, on a cool crisp evening in a lowly manger, Christ was born into a human body, taking on a human nature in order that He might better represent us. As the Son of God, He was the Father’s greatest gift to this world. He came to save us from our sins. He was a promised gift (Gen.3:15), and He was a perfectly timed gift (Gal.4:4).

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah the prophesied to Israel of the coming Messiah saying; “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5). Let’s consider what this verse means to us.

His name is Wonderful: this speaks to all the dullness in our lives. We no longer have to live on the cheap substitutes of this world in order to gain excitement and enjoyment. Jesus Christ makes everything wonderful.

His name is Counselor: this speaks to the decisions of our lives. We don’t have to be confounded by the problems of life any more, wondering what step to take next. With Jesus Christ as our Counselor, we have the wisdom that we need to make right decisions.

He is Almighty God: this speaks to all the demands of our lives. And life can certainly be demanding! There are times when we feel like giving up, tossing in the towel; but through Jesus Christ we have the strength we need to continue—and to be more than conquerors.

He is the Everlasting Father: this speaks to all dimensions of our lives. As Christians we have become a part of eternity! A whole new dimension of living is ours through Jesus Christ, especially when the government of our lives is upon His shoulders.

He is the Prince of Peace: this speaks to and takes care of all the disturbances of our lives. How we long for lasting inner peace! As others search for the secrets of poise and confidence in this threatening world, our ever available answer is—Jesus Christ! He is the Prince of Peace and when He is in control of our lives He gives us peace.

Preparing for Christmas can be a joy as we meditate on how God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s wombs, and on how He knew exactly what we needed. If there ever was a gift that “everyone needed”, “one size fits all”, or one that “you just can't do without” Jesus Christ is it. He’s the Perfect Gift.

God’s blessings to you all this Christmas!

Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Archbishop Metropolitan ACW