Why is Jesus the Greatest Gift Ever Given?

A lifetime couldn't exhaust the fullness of the right answer to this question, but it was worth pondering for my family last night. The statement that Jesus is the greatest gift has become somewhat cliche, so I penned 12 reasons why Jesus is the greatest gift and we discussed. Here they are, and I hope you can agree and perhaps add to or at least discuss this list with your family as you celebrate his birthday.

1) Jesus gives life - both eternally to come and abundantly here and now (John 3:16,36; 5:24; 10:10; 20:31; Act 13:48; Romans 6:23)

2) Jesus is life - and our food and drink (John 4:13-14; 6:35-45; 14:6)

3) Jesus created and sustains all things, including us, and He is the way (John 1:3; 14:6; Colossians 1:16-20; Hebrews 1:3)

4) Jesus is eternal, everlasting, and never fading (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-2; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:20)

5) Jesus brigs peace - both peace with God and the peace of God (Matthew 10:34; John 16:33; 20:19-21; Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; Philippians 4:7)

6) Jesus brings light to our darkness - understanding, purpose, and meaning (John 1:4-14; 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9)

7) Jesus brings joy (Isaiah 35:10; Luke 2:10; John 15:11)

8) Jesus brings freedom (John 8:31-47; Galatians 5:1; Revelation 1:4)

9) Jesus is our hope (Hebrews 3:6; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 11:10; Colossians 1:27; Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:3)

10) Jesus is the only way of salvation from God's righteous anger and wrath (John 14:6)

11) Jesus is our truth, our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption (John 1:17; 14:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 3:13)

12) Nothing matters without Jesus, and with Him, everything is better (Philippians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

Our family concluded these thoughts by listening to Brandon Heath's excellent message in his song, "The Night Before Christmas." Thankfully, we no linger have to spend time in the night before Christmas, because it has come; He has come! Rejoice! Again I say, "Rejoice!" Merry Christmas!

Is Public School an Option?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this article by Albert Mohler, written in September 2013, and published in the quarterly Answers Magazine.

Hosea 14:8

God says, "What have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from Me comes your fruit."

The Providence of God

"Believers should take great comfort in this truth."

"Providence comes into the English language from the Latin terms 'pro' and 'vide,' which mean 'see' and 'before,' respectively. Thus, providence refers in the first instance to what the Lord sees in advance. Such seeing beforehand is not merely temporal. Indeed,  God sees the end from the beginning, although this is not because He merely looks into the future but because He Himself has ordained it, even down to the exact length of our lifetimes (Psalm 39:4; Isaiah 46:8-10). But divine providence goes beyond the temporal to also encompass the spatial. Nothing in creation, no matter where it is, ever escapes God's view (Psalm 39:7-12)."

Tabletalk, August 2013, page 59

1 Timothy 6:17-19

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Divine Providence

"When we think of ourselves in the greatest safety we are no less exposed to danger then when all seems conspiring to destroy us. The divine providence that is sufficient to deliver us in our utmost extremity is equally necessary in the most peaceful situation." John Newton

George Muller of Bristol

"Many Christian parents have made the fatal mistake of entrusting their children's education to those whose gifts were wholly intellectual and not spiritual, and who have misled the young pupils entrusted to their care into an irreligious or infidel life, or at best, a career of mere intellectualism and worldly ambition. In not a few instances, all the influences of a pious home have been counteracted by the atmosphere of a school which, if not godless, has been without that fragrance of spiritual devoutness and consecration which is indispensable to the true training of impressible children during the plastic years when character is forming for eternity!" Arthur T. Pierson, page 222

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