Many volunteer groups spend many hours making sure that needy children and nursing home residents receive at least one present for Christmas. We may receive letters which urge us to "give in the spirit of Christmas."

However, Christmas is not a time for giving unless one has received a gift first. Why are so many people sad at Christmas even though they have received so much? Why do people not feel joy at Christmas? The answer is the Christmas is first for receiving! Without God's gift all our singing, giving, and celebrating will be pointless. What is so special about a "White Christmas" if our heart remains dark with unbelief? How can "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" comfort us when the fires of greed and jealousy rage within?

Receiving God's special gift is what Christmas is all about. God gave the world His precious Son "to visit and redeem His people" (Luke 1:68). For Jesus did was not born to receive presents. As God, Jesus deserved all the praises and worship and gifts people could give Him. However, Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

As our Servant, Jesus humbled Himself, took on our human nature, became obligated to keep God's law perfectly, and died on the cross to set free those who were slaves of sin. He did all this to give the world salvation from sin and the gift of eternal life.

Giving gifts at Christmas is a wonderful custom because it reflects the gift God gave the world at Christmas. However, for us to have a true Christmas, we need to first receive God the Father's gift-His only begotten Son "born under the law to redeem those who under the law" (Galatians 4:5); Jesus' gift-forgiveness of sins and eternal life; and the Holy Spirit's gift-faith in Jesus as our Savior

Only when we have received through faith Jesus gift of life can we truly celebrate Christmas. For then we will sing "Joy to the world, the Savior comes" out of praise and devotion to Jesus. Only when we receive peace with God concerning our sins can we live in peace with other people..