The ultimate gift

Published:

December 18, 2023

We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.

By Campus Pastor Tom Parker, Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:11, NKJV

Aw, the memories of Christmas, that one day of the year as a young boy I so looked forward to, hoping that the gifts under the Christmas tree were exactly the ones I dreamed about. I remember, too, the wonderful family get togethers, traditions and the memorization of my part for the Christmas program at church.

As I have grown older, Christmas is still a very wonderful day, but my focus has changed as I read in God’s Word the awesomeness of the birth of Jesus. He is the reason for the season. (See John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”)

Imagine Mary and Joseph as they held that little Baby in their arms that first Christmas morning as the greatest gift they could have ever wished for. We also read that the shepherds were the first to hear the good news as sung to them by a choir of angels.

Yes, Christmas and the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is still an awesome day for me, but it is no longer the most important event. My dear friends, the birth of Jesus has become the second greatest day in the history of our world from the day of Creation to today, for the greatest event is that Easter morning when we shout, “He is risen!”

That is the greatest gift God has given to us, for His Son Jesus to go to the Cross of Calvary for our salvation. There is no other gift greater than Jesus.

The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.

Rev. Tom Parker is a Baptist General Conference ordained minister and has served as a senior pastor in the church for several years and also worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. God has blessed him with three daughters, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.