Exposition:

Our theme scripture is very enlightening. The entire gospel comes to focus especially in this verse. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. So God graciously gave the underserving sinful depraved humanity (the world) a gift in the person of His one and only Son Jesus Christ, born of a woman who came to die to rescue mankind of sin. He is a gift because we cannot afford the cost of the penalty of sin in our depraved state – “For the wages (penalty) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord “(Rom. 6:23). Romans 5:15- 17 further buttresses the point that this “gift is not like the trespass”. For if through the trespass many died, so it is also through this gift, our Lord Jesus Christ, righteousness will reign in many.

This is the reason for his manifestation on the scene of history over two thousand years ago when Mary had the rare privilege of giving birth to this gift of a Saviour to the world. In the narrative, angel

Gabriel specifically directs that He was to be called “the Son of God” because He possesses the same nature as the Father not a literal offspring. The title “Son” therefore does not, in any way, suggest the Son is inferior to the Father (Colossians 1:15-17). So Jesus born of Mary is the gift of God to humanity! He was born to die for the sins of humanity. In the season of the celebration of His birth as gift to us we are reminded of his death on the cross as well. This calls for a sober reflection instead of extravagant celebration.

As Christians, may the season of His birth also remind us of His death on the cross that brought us our ultimate salvation. May we continually share this message of salvation and may we bring many to share in this gift as well. Amen!