The Greatest Gift

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 2:1-14. We have all spent the last several weeks or even months getting ready for the Christmas holiday season.

We have been busy picking out gifts for our loved ones, decorating our houses, and Christmas trees. Many of us have been baking our favorite holiday treats for our family and friends, and getting ready for our Christmas celebrations.

We have been going to parties and wrapping gifts. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday season, let’s not forget the true reason for the season. Christmas is supposed to be a holiday to celebrate the greatest gift of all, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This Scripture in Luke 2 gives us the details of that glorious day. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. It was almost time for Mary to deliver baby Jesus. While they were in Bethlehem the time for her to give birth came. The Scripture tells us she delivered her firstborn Son in a stable because there was no room for them in the inn. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

The shepherds were in the field watching over their sheep at night when the angel of the Lord came to them. The glory of the Lord shined all around them and they were afraid. The angel said to them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Then, the angel informed them that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

All of a sudden, along with the angel was a heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” There was a great celebration on that glorious day.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 2:1-14

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men

As we celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus on Christmas, remember the greatest gift was not His birth. The greatest gift was the reason for Him coming to earth in the first place. Of course, this gift would not be possible had He not been born.

The gift of salvation that God offers us through the death of His beloved Son on the cross for the remission of our sins is the greatest gift.

The Bible tells us in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

When we give someone a gift, they can make the choice to receive our gift or reject it. In the same way, we have to make the decision whether we want to receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ or reject it. If we receive it, we can live eternally with God and Jesus. If we reject this precious gift from God there will be eternal consequences.

 

Things to think about:

• What do we celebrate on Christmas?
• How does it make you feel to know that you can be forgiven for all your sins?
• Have you accepted the gift of salvation? If so, we praise God with you. If not, please consider doing so today.

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we thank You for Your Son, Jesus. We thank You for the greatest gift of all that You offered us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Help us not to take this precious gift for granted, but to treasure it. Help those who have not yet accepted this gift to consider doing so today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. We will continue to study God’s Word together.

If you would like to know more about the life of Jesus Christ check out my book: The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ.

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!