We read Luke's account of the birth of Jesus in chapter 2. v8 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.”

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people (emphasis added). For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”

Christmas is all about giving. God so loved the world that he GAVE His Son. He gave us many things but three stand out to me as a result of Jesus’ birth and these are:-

a) A way back to the Father – in sending Jesus we now have a path back to the Father - reconciliation – until Jesus was born – sin had no Saviour. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor 15:22) We can now go boldly into His presence – boldly into the throne room of grace.

b) Victory over the works of the enemy – as one writer puts it “until Jesus was born Satan’s intentions were unbridled” – I guess Satan felt he had the victory right up until Christmas eve so to speak – history records of course he had no victory at all for at the Cross Jesus had the ultimate victory – victory over death itself! If Jesus hadn’t come to the world, died and gone back the Father, the precious Holy Spirit could not have been given to us.

c) He gave us grace – the one who came from the Father John 1:1 tells us is full of grace and truth. What is grace? God’s unmerited favour. He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfil it – mankind had been under the grip of the Law of Moses up until that time – a whole series of regulations and expectations that were impossible to adhere to. Aren’t you glad we live “this side of Christmas”?

As I said before Christmas is all about giving – but you know giving is no good if there is no receiver – our gifts need recipients don’t they?

The Bible tells us in John 1 to those that RECEIVED Him to them…. he gave the right to be called children of God.

So we have to receive the gift of salvation God is giving to us in His son. We then have the right or ability to be called sons/daughters of God. That speaks of enablement. The Greek word used here is exousia – and speaks of delegated authority, privilege, strength, it’s a powerful word but there is a response for us to make.

V9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Let's look briefly at 3 key phrases in this angelic pronouncement.

Good News – the good news is of course we are no longer bound in sin – we have direct access to the Father and the immediate and ongoing forgiveness of our sins. That great hymn puts it this way "Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night – Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke the dungeon flamed in light, my chains fell off my heart was free I rose, went forth and followed thee." That’s good news no matter how you look at it. Freedom in Christ – the little baby born in a manger brought freedom to you and me.

Great Joy - being in relationship with God is meant to be a joyful experience – I'm not talking about religion here but a personal relationship with the creator God himself through His Son Jesus – that should bring great joy to us. Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we should be called the sons of God. (1 John 3:1). It gives me great joy to be called a Son of God and a joint heir with Christ.

For ALL people – to Jews and Greeks, slave and free, one and all! All there in the Greek means all. There are no exclusions by race, gender, family heritage, upbringing, education, the sort of life we’ve had, what we’ve done or not done, what side of the tracks we’re born on – the good news is for ALL people.

God so loved that he gave – once again Christmas is all about giving – it’s about the greatest gift ever given to humanity - that of a Saviour.

So what can we give to God this Christmas?

He doesn’t want performance or works. He just desires a life devoted to Him and His kingdom here. The good news of great joy was for all people – how do all people hear about the good news if you and I don’t spread the good news?

Let’s bring our gift of humility and devotion to Him afresh today. God would you use me for the advancement of your kingdom?

What can we give this Christmas to one another?

In Matthew 10:8 Jesus said to His disciples as he sent them out to share his love and grace with the world, “Freely you have received, freely give."

God holds out the gift of grace to us. There are moments when His gift makes perfect sense. It fits. A cheque in the mail when you're strapped for cash. A phone call when you're lonely. God's peace when you're troubled. We understand that expression of God’s Grace!

There are other moments when His gift of Grace seems a little strange. Forgiveness when you still feel guilty. A kind word from a friend when you've been unkind. A hug from a child when you've lost your temper.

Our job is to freely receive the gift of grace from the Giver. It takes open eyes and an open heart to receive the grace God sends to us through our friends and families. But when we receive, then the gift does its wonderful work. Once the gift has changed us then we can freely share the gift with others.

Let’s give the gift of love to someone this Christmas and if necessary let’s give the gift of forgiveness to someone today if not personally then let’s offer up the offence to God and allow Him to bring peace, healing and comfort to us.

We can make the real spirit of Christmas – the sense of giving to one another, not gifts (presents) but love, compassion, understanding, kindness, a listening ear, an encouraging word, last for the other 364 days. Let’s make that our goal for 2020!

Finally let’s give God the gift of our lives this Christmas. He gave us His only Son. What is your response to His gift of life & freedom today? If you don’t know the giver this Christmas, there’s no better time to be introduced to Him.

It just takes a simple prayer. "Lord Jesus, I acknowledge I need you in my life. I ask you to forgive my sins. I give my life to you. Come and live in my heart Lord Jesus. I receive you as Lord of my life. Help me to live for you. I pray this in your Name Jesus Amen.

The Bible says "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9.

So if you've prayed this prayer for the first time today drop us a note so we can pray for you too.