Advent Alphabet - "G" - "Greatest Gift - Grace"

Grace, (God’s unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually, not indiscriminately, but in different ways in proportion to the measure of Christ’s rich and bounteous gift. (Eph.4:7) “For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through your faith. And this salvation is not of your own doing, it came not through your own striving, but it is the gift of God. It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself. (Eph.2:8-9 Amp.) Have you ever known anyone who didn’t enjoy getting a gift? From young to old a personal gift speaks of love, caring, and sometimes even sacrifice. This time of year my time is filled with obtaining gifts for all our family, and even friends. I try to get just what I think each will enjoy. It brings me much joy to watch their joy in receiving anything. Sometimes it is not what they needed, or had thought about, but just the fact that they were remembered brings much joy (at least it does to me). The Father gave us the Greatest Gift, Jesus, not just for the joy He would receive by giving His Son, but for the joy He would see in us when we received this most wonderful Gift. Oh, what love, caring, and what a great sacrifice He made by giving His gift. Then what joy unspeakable and full of glory we have by receiving His gift, Jesus! The scriptures tell us in Ecclesiastes 5:19, that, “Every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God to him.” As Paul demonstrated in Acts 1:11, we as believers can share some spiritual gift with other believers, which will strengthen and establish them, so they may be mutually strengthened, encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith. Some of believer’s gifts are spoken of in Romans 12 and I Corinthians 14. These gifts have been given by the Holy Spirit when He came to live within us. They are given to each to employ it for one another as good stewards of the gifts granted to Christians by His grace (unmerited favor). Every good and perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of light (James 1:17). All the above are wonderful gifts, whether given by others or by God, but the “Greatest Gift” is His Grace Gift to us of His Son, Jesus Christ, Who came in the form of a baby so long ago. None of us merited this favor, but The Father graced us with this superlative, magnanimous, wondrous, and indescribable gift to all who would believe and accept His free gift. We don’t have to work for it or try to be good enough to deserve it. We just repent (change our views and purpose to accept the will of God in our inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Just open our hearts to Jesus and receive The Greatest Gift - Grace.