The Three Gifts of Christmas: Gifts Christ Offers Us

As we wrap up this series, we’ve discussed the gifts the Wise Men brought the Christ child, the three gifts Christ gives us and the three gifts we can give to Christ. As we wrap up this series, we are going to discuss the three gifts Christ offers us.

As we wrap up, there are three gifts we can give to others when we have accept the gift Jesus offers to us.  They are the gifts of:

1. Forgiveness—when we have been forgiven it is much easier to forgive others.  Forgiveness was not designed for others but to cleanse and heal ourselves. Jesus commanded us to forgive others so we will be forgiven and to forgive 7×77 times but to show steadfast love.  {Numbers 14:18; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:4; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 86:5; Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:22; Mark 11:25; Romans 4:7-8; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13.}
2. Mercy—Jesus provided mercy for us so we all need to have compassion shown to us, as well as to show it to others. There are difficult days and times for all of us when we need others to come alongside us in an unexpected or unmerited way. {Exodus 34:6-7; 2 Samuel 22:26; Psalm 86:15; Ephesians 2:4-5; Mark 6:34; Luke 6:36; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Job 6:14; Proverbs 3:3-4; Proverbs 11:17; Proverbs 14:21; Zechariah 7:8-10; Matthew 5:7; Ephesians 4:31-32; and Colossians 3:12-14}
3. Grace—Jesus offered us grace for our sins, so we can honor others when we are with them and extend courteous goodwill.  {2 Corinthians 12:19; 2 Timothy 1; Ephesians 4:7; John 1:14; Colossians 1:6; Acts 20:24; Hebrews 4:16; and James 4:6}

Actually, there is one additional gift we can offer to others.

• Brotherly love—Jesus commanded us to love others as we love ourselves and to love with a pure heart.  This is known as Philia love or affectionate or brotherly love.  This is also known as the bond of a friend or a friend bond or shared goodwill. We can all love our brothers and sisters in a more Christlike fashioned. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a great example of how to love our neighbors and others.   {Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 17:17; 1 John 4:20; John 15:12; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Galatians 5:14;1 Peter 4:8;  and James 2:8}

The gifts of Christmas are three fold from the Gift of the Magi to the Gift of Jesus to us and our gift in return to Him and because he lives in us the gift we can extend to others.  

However, the greatest gift of all is Jesus humbling himself as a baby.

“…but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”  {Philippians 2:7}

Through his humbling, he suffered death so that we may have glory in the grace, mercy and love he offers to us through his sacrifice and atonement for our sins.

“But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”  {Hebrews 2:9}

If there is no greater gift to accept this Christmas season, it is the gift of accepting Jesus into your heart and life for everlasting love.

After all, as the Sandi Patti song says, “And the Gift goes on, So we can give the Gift of love…”