The Gift

I have a box in my hand - it's decorated so it looks special. What do you think it is?
Children:"A present / a gift."
At Christmas, are gifts an important part of the holiday? Did you receive any gifts?
Children:"Yes."
Did you know what makes something a gift? There's two things that make something a gift.
For example - could I give you a gift even if it's not wrapped special?
"Yes."
So the wrapping doesn't matter. What matter's is that I am giving it - what matters is my happy thoughts about giving you something, right?
"Yes."
Suppose you had a gift for me. Here, take this box and try to give it to me.

• Child : "Here's a gift for you."
• Me: "No thank you. I don't want a gift today."
  

So do you think this is a gift if I don't accept it?
Is it a gift if I say no thank you?
"No."
So everyone agrees, a gift is only a gift if when offered, the person accepts it.

Do you know what the very first Christmas gift was?
I'll give you a hint, the very first Christmas gift came from God and was given to everyone -from people living in Bethlehem two thousand years ago to you and me living today.
Can you guess what God's gift was?
"Jesus. Baby Jesus."
Correct. However, not everyone understood God's gift.
People knew God was going to give us a gift - and that gift would be a Saviour.
People were expecting a mighty King who would rescue them from their problems.
Instead God gave the world a helpless little baby.

Do you think some people wondered, "Now how could a baby save us?"

Do you think some people rejected God's gift because they didn't understand why God would send a baby?

On Christmas eve, we celebrate God's gift to us and accept Jesus in our lives. This means that we remember Jesus every day. By doing this, we have done our part (part two) and received God's gift -his Son Jesus in our lives. By doing this, we do have a Savior. And He is Christ the King! Remember to receive Jesus in your heart so you can truly have God's Christmas gift to you.

Merry Christmas!