CHRISTMAS: WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT ANYWAY?
by Coreen Jackson, Ph.D.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:11-14

Have you ever wondered what to give someone for their birthday? Perhaps you have questioned yourself about the kind of gift to give your husband, wife, son, daughter, or significant other. Choosing the right gift can often be a tedious process as you try to consider taste, size, appropriateness, cost and the value of the person to you. Some of us have gone overboard spending large sums of money on gifts while others have made no effort in their selection of the appropriate gift.

Unfortunately when it comes to Jesus' birthday we give presents to ourselves, family and friends but we take little or no consideration about what Jesus would want for his birthday. Whose birthday is it anyway? Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday and not ours. So ask yourself what shall I give my King of kings, and Lord of lords for HIS BIRTHDAY? Here are some suggestions:

1. Give Jesus your heart. Let him come in and take up residence in your heart. All you have to do according to Romans 10:9 " that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."

2. Give Jesus your life. Let him move from resident to president of your life, from just savior to Lord, from just an associate to CEO. Only when He becomes ruler and master of your life can you truly know the depth of his riches, the power of His greatness, and the joy of his presence. Partial surrender won't do, it must be total surrender.

3. Give Jesus your love. Let him move from sentiment to intimate, from conditional love to unconditional love, from a divided heart to an undivided heart of passion just for him. He must become your deepest desire and your pre-eminent treasure.

4. Give Jesus your worship. Let him move from periodic praise to perpetual praise, from false worship to true worship, from mere lip service to a heart service. Jesus said "But an hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be his worshippers." (John 4:23).

5. Give Jesus your time. Let Him move from just weekly dates to daily dates. Spend time with Him everyday in the Word, in prayer and meditation. Give him time when you wake up, when you are at work or play. Give him time in your thoughts, in your exchange with others, in your decision makings and even in your stillness. Let him speak his words of love, instruction and encouragement to you.

6. Give Jesus your witness. Let Him see you move from the silent believer to the witnessing discipler. Share with others the good news of his tremendous love for us, that "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us". Tell about his free gift of salvation, eternal life and his soon return.

7. Give Jesus your passion. Let him see you move from coldness to hotness for him, from half-heartedness to whole-heartedness. Let him consume you with his fire in your inner being. Wherever your passion has been misplaced you can still reclaim it and surrender it to Jesus. Desire passionately to know him.

Whose birthday is it anyway? Jesus' birthday. Consider the most valuable gift you have to give him. He wants you and only you. Will you give yourself wholeheartedly to Him today?

Lets pray:
Dear Jesus help me to make you the central focus on your birthday. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all by dying on the cross for all my sins. Now, I humbly offer myself to you as a living sacrifice. Here is my heart, my life, and my love. May you give me a heart that pants after you O God, and may my life, and my worship be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus name. Amen.

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