What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 12/25/2005 AM Dr. Dane Boyles

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matt 1:24-25)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? It is so easy to forget: That he was born to die for us. That he was despised and rejected by men. That he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? That he was smitten and afflicted. That he was pierced for our transgressions, That he was crushed for our iniquities;

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? That the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 13 Greater love has no one than this that they lay down their life for their friends. (John 15:13)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way (Heb 2:17)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 6 Who, being in very nature God,       did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  7 but made himself nothing,       taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:6-7)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself     and became obedient to death—     even death on a cross! (Phil 2:8)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. (1 John 3:16)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. (2 Cor 5:19) 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? A paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13: If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing at church but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? But giving the gift of love will endure.

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? Into a world of strength and pride a child is born, weak and humble, having no power - except that power which alone can conquer all others: Love. Such was, and is, Christmas. (Jim Swanson)

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? CONCLUSION What gift would Jesus want you to give Him today? Could it be you?

What Gift Will You Give Jesus? Acts 2:37-38 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”