What is the greatest gift you have ever received?
Did you get something big or special
from your parents when you were little?
Some kind of cool toy?
Or maybe some super surprise from your spouse?
I know my parents were awesome at this
when I was a kid.
There were always those special moments,
like "Oh, there's one more present."
And then all of a sudden, a bike would be wheeled
from around the corner.
I remember that Christmas, I probably did
like 30 minutes of victory laps around my living room,
I was so happy.
Do you have a moment like that?
Just a news, a surprise that filled you with joy?
I know Mary sure did.
Here you have this meek and mild young woman,
and suddenly, the Angel Gabriel appears
with this incredible news, "You're the one.
"You are going to be the mother of the promised Messiah,
"the long-awaited savior.
Well Mary was so filled with excitement,
so filled with joy, that she ran off
to her relative Elizabeth's house.
She was going to be the mother of John the Baptist.
And the first thing she did was erupt in song,
this wonderful, beautiful song
we sometimes call "The Magnificat."
Listen to the opening line of the song.
Mary said, "My soul glorifies the Lord
"and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Is this how you prepare for Christmas?
You know, it can be so easy for us to be Grinch-like
at Christmas time.
All the checklists of things and parties and presents
and people and all the to-do items,
that we get lost in that and we lose the joy
that we have.
Jesus came
for me,
for you,
for everyone.
I mean, what could bring greater joy
than what the angels announced the night He was born.
There is now peace, peace on Earth, peace with God
because Jesus brings us forgiveness.
Well friends, as we have that joy at Christmas time,
even more so as we wait for Jesus to come again,
Judgment Day can be a very scary thought for people
and End Times thoughts, the time leading up
to Judgment Day.
But it's not for us.
It's not for Christians.
Judgment Day is a day to rejoice.
It's a day to wait for with eagerness,
like Mary waiting for the Savior to be born.
The same is true for you and me.
Because this time when Jesus comes,
it's not going to be meek and mild in a manger.
No, this time it will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The King of Glory coming with victory,
victory for you and for me.
So this Christmas, sit back, smile, and rejoice
with Mary and all believers at Jesus' birth.
But then also, sit back, smile, and rejoice
because Jesus is coming again for you.
So what is the greatest gift you've ever received?
Okay, Jesus, best gift ever, we know that.
But worldly gifts, what is the best present
you've ever received?
Share something fun with us that you've received before
and we'll talk about it in the comments.
And come back for one last day talking
about the greatest gift, Jesus.