Advent Guide: The Wonder of ChristmasSample

The Greatest Gift

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts as we celebrate the arrival of the Greatest Gift of all – Jesus Christ. In John 3:16, we read the encapsulation of the Christmas Story and what it means for us.

God's Love for us is unlike any other. It is Unconditional, Passionate, and Eternal. We often struggle to comprehend this kind of Perfect, Sacrificial Love because His Love is not like yours and mine. Our love oftentimes is fickle, emotional, and measured. But Christmas allows us a glimpse into its meaning as we reflect on God sending His own Son into the world.

Jesus reveals the fullness of God's Love. Out of Love, God intentionally and miraculously put on flesh through Christ coming as a baby. While we were still deep in our sin and rebellion, Christ died on the Cross to make us compatible with God, bridging the gap between God's Holiness and our sinfulness.

We could never be good enough to earn God's Love. But He poured out His Love on us anyway through the Gift of His Son. All we have to do is accept this Free Gift by believing in Jesus and trusting in His Sacrifice for our Salvation.

The Christmas Story seems almost too good to be true – that the All-Powerful God would humble Himself to dwell among us as Emmanuel in order to save us. But this miracle of Love is the Gift of Christmas. It's available to every one of us, no matter who we are or what we've done.

May the true meaning of Christmas – the coming of our Savior – fill each of our hearts with joy, gratitude, and wonder. Let's receive God's Gift of Jesus while sharing His Love with everyone we meet this Christmas season.

Dr. Tony Celelli has been President of Stark College & Seminary for nearly 18 years. Tony has been married to Deanne Smith Celelli for over 30 years and they have two sons: Ren and his wife Jessica, and daughter Airibelle, and Castleton and his wife Natalie. Tony and Deanne enjoy boating and traveling with their family.