The Greatest Gift

Luke 2:13-14 – Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." (NLT)

As Christmas fast approaches, we spend time contemplating the best gift we can give to those on our list. When we choose successfully, not only do we bring joy to them, but also our own hearts are greatly blessed.

How the angels' hearts must have been blessed that first Christmas when they had the glorious opportunity to announce God's greatest gift to the children of His world: the gift of Jesus Christ, the pleasure of God and the peace of mankind. This peace is available to each and every human being who by faith accepts the truth of Christ and His power to forgive mankind's sin and to restore us in relationship with God our heavenly Father.

Forgiveness and restoration set our feet on a new path — a pathway of joy for those who, as the Psalmist states in Psalm 1, do not follow evil men's advice, and who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God, but who delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on His laws and thinking about ways to follow Him more closely.

Faith in Christ pleases God. As the angels so joyously announced that first Christmas, pleasing God also brings peace to mankind.

God gave to us the greatest gift of all, that we, in turn, might give the greatest gift back to Him: ourselves at peace with one another. Now, isn't that a gift worth giving?

Prayer: Lord God in heaven, thank You so much that peace on earth is available, one heart at a time, through Jesus Christ and His forgiveness. May Your people be blessed this year with hearts that seek above all to be pleasing to You, that others might see and desire the greatest gift of all: Jesus. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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