God so loved …

As I have stood each morning this past week waiting for the train to take me to the office, I have been blessed with a reminder of God’s love for all mankind. Across the tracks from the platform where I stand is a small billboard among other billboards with a simple message. It contains a paraphrase of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish; but have everlasting life.”

It stands in stark contrast to the other billboards advertising a wide variety of “things” that if you believe their message, would make one better, happier, more fulfilled, content, and a better person. It also stands in stark contrast to the culture I’ve come to know in this place. One that seems sterile and barren of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the wonderment of this Christmas season, where will we find our contentment? Will it be in the glitz and glimmer of “things?” Or will it me in the real wonderment and understanding that God sent Only Begotten Son, born of a virgin, to mankind to offer himself as the greatest gift of all that we should not perish, but have the hope of life eternal in his abode.

God “gave” his son. A precious and priceless gift to us. One that we do not deserve or have earned. In honor and recognition of that gift the wise men also gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It is widely understood that these gifts represent the very essence and nature of our Savior. Gold representing his kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) his deity and myrrh (an embalming oil) his death. This is expressed beautifully in the hymn “We Three Kings:”

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain; Gold I bring to crown him again;
King forever; ceasing never Over all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a deity nigh;
Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom –
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in stone cold tomb.

Like the billboard I have seen each morning this week, I believe that God has called each of us to stand in stark contrast to the world about us. And like the wise men of old we should honor our Lord and King with our gifts in recognition of who he is and the gift we have received. We should take every opportunity to adore him.

The very best gift we can offer is a life of service and devotion. He wants our lives. The greatest gift you can give to God this year is yourself. The greatest gift you can give to God is to say, “Lord, I give you my life. I give you my talents. I give you my abilities. I give you my weaknesses. I offer myself to you. Here is my gift to you.”

May the dedication and devotion of our lives to him and our love for one another be the bright and shining lights of this Christmas season.