I love the season of Christmas.

One of the things I enjoy during

this Christmas season is finding a present for my wife.

I've been married to Killy for 27 years and every year I like to come up with

something new and creative. When I go shopping

for present for Killy at Christmas, I'm looking for something personal. I want

it to be personal

to her. I want her to really appreciate that I've gone

the extra mile for her, but also I want it practical. I want her to be able to

enjoy using the gift that I've given her.

Thirdly I want it to be permanent. I don't want a gift that is only going to last a

couple of days, I want it to last,

and of course when I choose that gift I can't just walk out

of the store with it, I have to purchase it. One of the

great bible verses says this.

John 3 verse 16 "For God

so in love the world that

he gave his

one and only son

so that whoever believes in him

should not perish but have

everlasting life."

In that first we see how God came to earth.

It was a personal mission. "For God so loved

the world". Each

one of us.

It was also practical.

He actually came to do

something for us, and that

was to die upon the cross, because

that was the way that he purchase for us

forgiveness from the past,

new life today,

and a hope for the future,

so that if we choose to receive God's gift

there is a permanency about it.

Can I encourage you

this Christmas time

to receive God's

gift, because it's

personal,

it's practical,

it's permanent,

and it's been purchased.

Merry Christmas.