We have decided this year to have a secret Santa for family members, so that one person will buy one present for another family member.  We only have one opportunity to get it right and choose something the person really wants for Christmas.

There are things that money can’t buy like, love, happiness, peace and contentment. The Bible tells us of a present for Christmas that is priceless and beyond the means of any billionaire:

“…and thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins” Matthew 1: 21

The modern world has done its best to eradicate from our minds the thought of sin. The Bible definition of a sin,  is a falling short of God’s standard. In medieval times people would practice archery on the village green and when they missed the target, it was describes as a sin. Most people in Bishopton do well when comparing themselves with others but God has set the standard much higher:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

The Gospel message starts with us all on the same level before God. We have all sinned, we have all failed, we have all messed up our lives and we are all in need of salvation. This is what makes Christmas so awkward for anyone who looks into the manger at Bethlehem because we are brought face to face with a Saviour! Christ did not come into the world to educate us, moralise us, entertain us – He came to save us! The fact that He came from heaven to earth should show us immediately that  we cannot save ourselves or save each other.

And mark carefully the terms of the Gospel – ‘He shall save his people from their sins’. There is no offer of salvation to those who want to keep their sins. But to those who are tired of a life of sin, there is offered today, on 1st December, before Christmas even comes, a free salvation from our sins. That would be cause for a Happy Christmas.

“…for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4: 42