a season of giving

I have a question: Who started all this gift giving at Christmas?  The answer: God gave His only begotten Son.  When folks wish to emulate the life of their Savior, they will give gifts to those who they care for.  There is an exception, if the devil is yet your father you will give nothing but expect much.  Christmas is represented by God giving His Son, the wise men giving gifts to His Son and the Son giving men the gift of the Holy Ghost.
 
John 12:24 I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abide alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
 
The Jews were anxiously awaiting the appearing of the Messiah, but few recognized Him when He began His ministry in Galilee.  After many signs and wonders some began to believe He was the Christ, but when they crucified Him they lost all hope.  They did not understand the prophets, they did not know who their true enemy was.  Jesus was God’s gift to all men, He was born to be the final sacrifice under the Abrahamic covenant.  He was not what Israel expected Him to be, so He could not be what He was born to be.  Many did not know His true identity, but they loved Him because He healed all their disease.  Jesus had to die in order for men to live, He became our sin and we became His righteousness.
 
Galatians 1:15 It pleased God when He called me by His grace and to reveal His Son in me.
 
The Apostle Paul never met Jesus as far as we know.    He was a pharisee commissioned by the Jews to dismantle the teachings of Jesus.  He set out to discourage and arrest anyone who demonstrated an allegiance to Jesus.  A modern term for Paul would be a liberal.  But Paul met this Jesus on his way to Damascus and Jesus gave Paul a revelation.  A revelation is an inward witness of the Holy Ghost, it is more real than tangible evidence.  Natural evidence can be altered and fabricated, it is the basis for “religion”, but a revelation comes directly from God and it cannot be disputed.  God can convince any man if they are willing to accept His evidence.
 
Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized into the Name of Jesus and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
 
The most important gift of God is eternal life but it is not His only gift, salvation qualifies you for even greater gifts.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit is greater than salvation because without the Holy Ghost you cannot be saved.  A born-again man is a son of God and God has many gifts He wants to give His children.  We cannot earn these gifts, we believe for them, without faith it is impossible to please our Father who art in heaven.
 
Acts 20:35 And Jesus said: it is more blessed to give than to receive.
 
The Scripture has always puzzled me until I looked up  the Greek word blessed.  We can read it this way: The one who gives is more happy than the one they give to.  It is the Father’s good pleasure to gift you the kingdom.

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