But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman under the law,
to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts
crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
– Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV)

Christmas is a time for gifts. As a child I never tired of receiving them. How could I ever forget the excitement I felt as an 8-year old boy sprinting into the living room to see the gifts under the tree. Would I get that football uniform, baseball glove or basketball I had asked for? Would the hours of pouring through the toy catalogue finally pay off? To clarify for younger generations, Amazon hasn’t always been available. Though money wasn’t always plentiful, more times than not the answer was yes. The next question I asked myself was, “How long would it take before I could get outside to play?” No time for small talk or breakfast, I had things to do. As the days passed, it wasn’t unusual for my Christmas enthusiasm to fade. Maybe I began to view this “perfect” gift as just another part of my personal collection or maybe I simply  moved on to something else. The joy had only been temporary.

As children and adults, we’re often quick to look past the true gift of Christmas. We can get lost in the lights, the food, the music of the season and especially the gifts under the tree. It’s important that we don’t forget the “perfect” gift that God offers to each of us. That perfect gift is Jesus Christ! Unlike my football uniform, baseball glove, or basketball, Jesus is a gift that lasts. The enthusiasm we experience when we accept the perfect gift should grow each and every day. Jesus is the answer to every fundamental need we can have. Until we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, there will always be a hole in our heart that leaves us unfulfilled. Only God could give us this gift and He did it because He wants us to be His. He wants us to be His child—a child of the King. Slaves to sin no longer, but an heir to Abba—God our Heavenly Father.  This is a joy that lasts for eternity.

Abba—Father—Daddy, we thank You for loving us so much that You would offer us the perfect gift, Your Son, Jesus. May we never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Amen.