The Gift

Read: Revelation 16:1–21

In the movie A Christmas Story, Ralphie is consumed with his desire for an official Red Ryder BB Gun, but everyone keeps telling him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” On Christmas morning, Ralphie is quite unhappy with the pink bunny pj’s from his aunt—but is extremely happy that his father gave him the gun.

God gave us the most precious gift of all that first Christmas—the gift of His only Son—but except for a few shepherds and some wise men from the east, no one welcomed Him. He was scorned and rejected by the very people who had yearned for the Messiah to come. He wasn’t what they expected—or wanted.

Today many will celebrate a “winter holiday.” They will welcome the gifts and a day off from work, but not the Christ of Christmas. Even those who know Jesus as Savior and Lord may focus more on the trappings that go with the holiday than on the spiritual significance of this holy day, or the fact that He is coming again.

“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake” (Revelation 16:15).

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Would I be ready if He comes today?

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