The Unreplaceable Gift

          Christmas is a time of giving-  giving means shopping.  It all began with the Wise Men from the East carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  People have been exchanging gifts at Christmas ever since.  Note: the Magi didn’t have to worry about sizes, colors, or exchange policies.  Many gifts will be returned or exchanged this week; but there is one gift that meets everyone's need!  Receive it.

  “God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost,  but have eternal life.” John 3:16  NCV

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

I.  The Gift Is Jesus Christ Himself   

*  the gift God offers us is, to know Christ-  a relationship with Him

*  to know Him as a friend, to have fellowship with Him as a friend

            John. 15:15  we become His friends!

            John. 17:3  knowing God = eternal life

*  do you have this kind of relationship with Jesus Christ?  as friend?

*  is He someone you can talk with and confide in, seek counsel from

*  receiving Christ is not accepting rules, burdens, and many don’ts

*  the essence of Christianity is an interactive relationship with God

II.  The Gift Has Value

*  many people though, just can’t see the value

*  they look into the manger, but don’t see a King and Savior

*  instead, the gold and other stuff beside it is more attractive

*  they don’t want the baby, they want the other presents & trinkets

            Matthew 13:44-46  it is like a hidden, priceless treasure

*  knowing Christ is worth more than everything else in this world

III.  The Gift Must Be Received   

* this gift is available to everyone, but God will not force it upon you

*  we must take the package, open it, accept it as our own gift

*  each one has to make that decision to receive Jesus Christ

            John 1:12  we then become God’s children

*  God’s love can not be earned or/ His forgiveness worked for-

We can never be good enough or/ spiritual enough to merit anything

*  a gift you have to pay for is no gift at all

*  who would reject or return such a precious gift this Christmas ?