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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Be ready to receive your greatest gift

Be ready to receive your greatest gift

Published Dec 23, 2022 12:05 am
Two days from now, the entire Christendom will commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Year in and year out, this is the time of year when people plan festive gatherings for their families, friends, and colleagues to celebrate the season. It’s also the time for people to prepare gifts for those close to their hearts, and get excited, as well, to open the holiday presents waiting for them under the Christmas tree. Overwhelmed by the festivities and other activities around them, most often people miss out the whole point of the reason for the season. There is this tendency to overlook the greatest gift to mankind — eternal life through Jesus Christ who was born in the flesh to save us from eternal condemnation. According to Romans 3:23, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are doomed to die because of our sinful nature, but God paved the way for redemption. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Because of God’s love for us, he sacrificed his only Son that we may be saved and have eternal life. And there is no better way to explain God’s love for mankind than what is written in John 3:16, “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.” Jesus Christ was born in a manger to die and pay for our sins that we may receive our greatest gift — eternal life. According to Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” His birth in a manger — a place in which horses and cattle are fed — was a display of humility. God the Father could have directed Joseph and Mary to a much better place, or even the best place, to give birth to his only Son. But he didn’t do it. The whole point of this season is, God the Father gave Jesus Christ to redeem us from condemnation and through him, we will receive eternal life. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, you may now be excited to finally open your gifts under the Christmas tree. But are you ready to open your hearts and receive your greatest gift?

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Christmas Editorial Be ready to receive your greatest gift For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son For even the Son of Man did not come to be served greatest gift birth of Jesus Christ that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life and to give his life as a ransom for many God’s love for mankind but to serve Jesus
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