For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Recently in Chapel, I talked with our students about Christmas and the whole tradition of giving and receiving gifts as a celebration of Jesus’ birth. I asked them to think about what they hope to receive for Christmas this year. After recalling some of the most memorable Christmas gifts I received as a child, I noted that all these gifts are temporary. Toys break and wear out and get lost. We outgrow them. They cannot satisfy us.

The reason we celebrate Christmas is because God loved us so much that he gave us his Son! And John introduces the Son in the opening verses of the first chapter of his gospel by declaring that the Son is, in fact, God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-4, 9-14

God the Creator became one of us so that he could die in our place. He took the punishment we deserve to that we could receive the rich inheritance that he deserves. He did all of this out of love.

There is absolutely nothing we could acquire or desire that compares with this gift that God has given to all who trust him.

Jesus didn’t simply risk rejection and suffering. He had already spoken through the prophets about the fact that he would be rejected, tortured, and killed. And yet he came and willingly laid down his life for us.

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

By: Jim Wood, Founder of Wears Valley Ranch