"...They will call him Immanuel—which means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

What's the best Christmas gift you've ever received? As I thought of that question, I remember the WordStudy on the Legacy WordBlog this past week. So, as I focused on the word "Immanuel" ("God with us"), I realize that He is the best Christmas gift that I've ever received.

Acts 2:38 says, "...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."

I can't even remember most of the gifts I've received through the years. It's not that they weren't important—I just can't recall most of them off-hand. So, what does that tell me?

I believe that the most treasured gift that I can give someone else will be the Word of God, Who lives inside of me. I've prayed for the ability and the resources to give to others. Now, I see that He is the gift that I've been given to give—His Word in me. God's Word, His promised Holy Spirit, is the deposit guaranteeing my inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:14). And He is the gift that God's given me to remind me of the inheritance I have in Him.

So, He is the gift I can give to others. I can share His Word in me—the gift that truly does keep on giving. And God's Word also says, "...It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

I pray I will always remember this truth as I think of giving to others in the future.

Merry Christmas!

Karen


What's the best Christmas gift you've ever received?