Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet, Isaiah said, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). That prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus. Imagine, though frightened, the thrill the shepherds felt when the angel sang the news that the Messiah, the King of Kings, had just been born in Bethlehem! Shepherds were considered the least likely to receive this news; they were poor, they were held in low regard, but they were the ones chosen by God. "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12) The shepherds probably marveled at God’s choice of being chosen to receive this glorious message. Is it hard for you to accept God's love? Do you feel God's acceptance? If you struggle to see yourself as God does, then lift up your head with the shepherds and let the Lord shine His grace on you with the gift of Christmas!

Christmas is that blessed time of year when nearly everyone’s thoughts turn to gifts and giving. And giving is a virtue not to be taken lightly. Christians are taught that to keep happiness, it must be shared and given away to lighten another’s load. “Every gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17). However, as e think of gifts and giving at this Christmas Season, let us consider the Ultimate Gift that was given to us by God when He gave us His Only Son.