This afternoon our Christmas plans fell apart. Rather than being six for dinner tomorrow, it will just be the two of us. I know that we’re not the only ones. People across the country–and probably across the globe–are facing similar issues, whether it is because of flight cancellations, virus concerns, or lockdowns.

As a result of our change in plans, we will have an unopened Christmas present under our tree. It has me wondering how many others will have similar unopened gifts. Will we mail it next week, keep it until the next time we see the recipient, or simply save it until next year?

For many of us, Jesus is the unopened gift under our Christmas tree. We have delayed opening His gift for many reasons. Perhaps we have decided to wait until another day, or we’re too busy to think about Him now, or we have completely forgotten about Him.

This gift from Jesus, however, is the most amazing gift we can ever imagine. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we become children of God (Ephesians 1:4), we have a home in heaven (John 14:2-3), our sins are forgiven (Matthew 26:28), we are reconciled with God (Romans 5:10-11), and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit living inside us (2 Corinthians 5:5). All of these gifts (and many more) are ours, if we only unwrap His gift and accept it as our own.

I hope this will be the Christmas that you open the wonderful gift Jesus offers to each of us. I promise that it is the best gift you will ever receive. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

Watch the “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown” excerpt from A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz