When we think of Christmas gifts, our thoughts ponder what to buy that family member who has everything. Or, the person who is particular in their taste. Perhaps we wonder what treasures lay under the tree for us.

But what are those intangible gifts we can offer to others and hope to receive in return?  As I was pondering things like love, forgiveness, encouragement (all great gifts), the Lord captured my attention when He whispered to my heart:

Karen, grace is the greatest gift, a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) that came down from Me to you as my Son the first Christmas.

[bctt tweet=”Grace is the greatest gift, a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) that came down from Me to you as my Son the first Christmas. ~ Your heavenly Father #gift #grace @FridayKaren ” username=”PatHolbrook”]

Grace Defined

(1.) Google defines grace as “courteous goodwill.” So I find it interesting how grace plays a major role in the Christmas story along with goodwill (desire to do good to others, act of kindness, charitable gift). 

An angel announced the Savior’s birth to shepherds, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV, emphasis mine)

The Savior embodies God’s grace and desire to do good to us and offer us kindness. And Jesus Christ remains the greatest act of charity (spiritually needy) known to mankind.

(2.) Grace in Christianity is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it…the favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God.”

(3.) Maybe you’ve heard it defined as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. When we think about the love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ, we see grace as the most wonderful gift ever given.

(4.) Grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

[bctt tweet=”Grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. #grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. Grace died on Calvary’s cross and rose from the dead. @FridayKaren ” username=”PatHolbrook”]

Grace Extended 

Because God extended, and continues to extend grace to us, we extend it to each other.

(1.) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

(2.) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

(3.) “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33) “And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many…followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (Acts 13:43)

(4.) “To love God is to cooperate with His grace. And since I’m so very aware of my own need for grace, I must be willing to freely give it away.” (Lysa Terkeurst)

(5.) “Grace releases and affirms. It doesn’t smother. Grace values the dignity of individuals. It doesn’t destroy. Grace supports and encourages. It isn’t jealous or suspicious.” (Charles Swindoll)

Amazing Grace

God extended amazing grace to us at such a high price…His Son.

(1.) “Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) That sav’d a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” (John Newton)

(2.) “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. And grace is power, not just pardon.” (John Piper)

(3.) “Grace needs to be the air we breathe, the atmosphere we live in, whether in church or in the home.” (Allen Snapp)

(4.) “We are born broken. We live mending. The grace of God is the glue.” (Eugene O’Neill)

Grace is the gift that keeps on giving.

When we reflect on all we know about grace, we conclude it’s a great gift to receive and give. While it may not be under our tree, we choose to wrap it in love and humbly offer it this Christmas and year-round.

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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open. Join my friend @FridayKaren to see how grace may not be a gift under our tree. But like the heavenly Father, we choose to wrap it in love and humbly offer it this Christmas and year-round. Share your blog! #blog” username=”PatHolbrook”]

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