The Gift That Can’t Be Earned

Dear diary,

Christmas time has always been my absolute favorite time of the year. There’s something about this season that feels different, so comforting. The lights shining through neighborhoods, the smell of good food cooking, the familiar Christmas movies playing in the background, they all stir up a warm feeling that’s hard to put into words. And of course… the gifts. Let’s be honest, growing up, the gifts were always a big deal. I remember being a kid lying in bed on Christmas Eve, tossing and turning, trying my hardest to fall asleep. But my imagination would run wild. What could be waiting for me under the tree? Would it be a Barbie Dream House? Maybe a new tea set? Or something I had never even thought of?

If we take a moment to think about the favorite gift you’ve ever received. Not the most expensive, not the biggest, but the one that meant the most. Why was it special? Was it something you’d been wanting for a long time? Or was it the love and the person behind it that made it meaningful?

My favorite gift given to me was a mini music box that you would hand wined. I love it so much. Not because of its price. Not because it was the coolest thing ever. Honestly? It came from a thrift store. It was probably worth twenty-five cents, but it was given to me by my father. And what made it precious was the simple truth that someone thought about me. Someone cared enough to give me something that they knew would bring me joy. Even as a little kid, that mattered deeply to me. That tiny gift made me feel seen. It made me feel loved.

The Greatest Gift

Now that I’m older, I realize something even greater: I get to experience that same feeling, the excitement, the gratitude, the joy…over and over again. Why? Because Jesus Himself is the greatest gift I will ever receive. And listen, this part is important: Jesus is a gift. A gift cannot be earned. A gift cannot be achieved. A gift isn’t something you work for. A gift is freely given out of love. The Bible says in Romans 5:8,“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

That means when we were still broken, when we were still running, when we were still messing up, God already decided to love us. The gift was already given. Every single one of us falls short every day. We make mistakes. We do things we regret. We think things we shouldn’t think. But Scripture tells us that God doesn’t hold those sins over our heads. Romans 6:23 says,“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Do you hear that contrast? Sin earns death. But God gives life freely!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

What a Gift

What a gift: that someone would take my death and give me life. What a gift: that someone would pull me out of darkness and give me freedom. What a gift: that someone would love me with a love that doesn’t run out, doesn’t change, and doesn’t depend on my performance. This is why Christmas matters. It’s not about presents. It’s not about decorations. It’s not about cookies…though I’m not complaining about cookies. Christmas is about celebrating and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior who stepped into our world so that we could step into His grace. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

A child was born to us so that we could be born again. We get a fresh start. A new identity. A new hope. A new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” If you are in Christ, the old you is gone. Your past is forgiven. Your shame is erased. Your sins are covered. You have been made new.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Nothing Can Separate You From This Gift

You have the greatest gift ever. He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. He walks with you even when you don’t feel Him. He sees you even when you feel invisible. He loves you even when you struggle to love yourself. Romans 8:38–39 says,“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing—nothing—can separate you from His love. So this Christmas, let the greatest gift in your life be this: That you believe God came to live among us as Jesus. That Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for your sins. That He rose again on the third day, defeating death, so you could have eternal life. You are loved. You are chosen. You are forgiven. And through Jesus, you are made new.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

So live today like you’ve been given the greatest gift in the entire world. Let go of the sins of your past. Stop believing the lie that you are too far gone or too broken. Jesus’ blood is more powerful than anything you have ever done. The gift of Jesus is not fragile. It will not break. It will not expire. It will not be taken away.

I want to play a piece from Forest Frank—one of my favorite artist. As it plays, I want you to sit still, breathe, close your eyes if you want to, and just reflect on how deeply loved you are by God.

Lord thank you that you will forever be my greatest gift. Thank you that you remind me that every moment of my life is a treasure from you. I pray that everyone who may not know you now, come to know the loving God that I know you are. I give you all the glory and honor. Amen.

- xoxo God's Girl