Would you leave one of your gifts unopened for Christmas?  But it’s to you, it’s for you, it’s been given to you out of genuine love.  So what’s the deal?  Why does this gift not get opened by lots of folks?  I opened mine and it has made a world of difference to me.

The gift that I opened wasn’t from Staci or any of the family. Santa Claus wasn’t responsible for it.  It wasn’t delivered by UPS or the mail.  Actually the gift sat right in front of me many days.  It practically begged me to open it and receive what was inside.  But I was busy, other things going on.  Honestly, thought that it wasn’t something for me.  But how would I know if I hadn’t opened it?  I guess just like most of you,  I had preconceived ideas about this gift.  I didn’t want what was in this gift because it might change how I feel about  other things I had.  It might change me.

Why did I open this gift?  I realized that I needed to change.  I want to live life to the fullest.  People around me seemed to live their lives each and every day as if it’s no big deal.  But I wanted more.  I needed more.  I asked for more.   And then,…….. I prayed for more.  That’s when the present was opened for me.

 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

Yep, the gift I’m talking about is Jesus Christ.  He is my Lord and Savior.  He is my Counselor, my Guide, my Companion .  But what I realize each and everyday is this.  He is my Gift of love,…….my gift of life.  What I realize as I continue on this journey is that He is my Gift that gives to me each and everyday.  And to think that I wouldn’t open it a while back. I guess that saying is true.  “It’s not what you know, but who you know!”  I’ve come to know Jesus by accepting and receiving God’s gift.

This gift is given to me and you without any requirements or demands.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been “naughty or nice”.  It doesn’t matter who you are, what age, where you live.  What matters??   This gift is given to you because of God and His infinite Love.   But you have to receive His gift.  You have to BELIEVE his gift.  If you receive and believe then this changes your life completely.  Changes how you think.  Changes how you live.  Changes how and what you love.

^{Luke 2:10} 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.

Christmas.  It’s the time of giving gifts.  My prayer is that you have, and will continue to everyday open and receive the perfect Gift from God.  Having Jesus in your life each and everyday as you travel this spiritual journey makes all the difference in the world.  You and I get to have a life filled with an abundance of peace and joy!  It’s a huge difference in knowing about a Christian way of life and actually living this Christian way of life.  All because of a simple action of opening and receiving God’s present to you.

Merry Christmas!!!

Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher,  receiving and believing God’s present every day