The greatest gift ever given to the world is often left unopened on Christmas morning. It sits humbly wrapped, no fancy wrapping or bows. Just plain brown paper and twine.
Every other gift - toys, jewels, clothes, gift cards, and money hurriedly torn open to enjoy. Soon everyone walks away, while the Father who loving placed the gift on the tree for His children to receive is left unopened.
Brokenhearted the Father wonders why His children cannot see that under the plain wrapping lies a incomparable treasure beneath. A treasure beyond all worldly treasures. A treasure that unlocks the gates of heaven where peace, joy, and love abound.
Soon, a little boy returns to take one last look at that tree. His heart quickens as he curiously picks up the humble little box and wonders, "Could this gift be for me?"
He softly hears a whisper, "Yes, my son, open it up and you will see My heart longs for thee."
Often in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we forget WHO we are celebrating. As parents, we want to give our children the perfect Christmas morning filled with presents underneath the tree. However, as every parent knows, every gift eagerly expected from their Santa list is soon forgotten and broken. Those gifts are temporary. Enjoyed for a season. The greatest gift we can give our children is an understanding and appreciation of who's birthday we are celebrating - Jesus' birthday. The gift of Jesus is eternal.
Some dismiss the true reason for the season by saying, "Well, we don't know if Jesus was even born on December 25th." No we don't. But it's a day that has been set apart to remember the gift of eternal life given to us by God, the Father, who sacrificed His own Son for us. Just like we take communion to remember Jesus' death on the cross, we celebrate Christmas to remember that God stepped out of heaven, put on flesh, and became Emmanuel - God with us.
This children's book, Jesus' Birthday Wish, takes your imagination on a journey into the heart and mind of Jesus. If Jesus could have one birthday wish, what would He wish for? Beautifully illustrated by my friend, Deborah Delaney, her illustrations capture the wonder of Christmas on every page.
What does Jesus wish for Christmas? To be invited into our Christmas celebrations. His heart for all - yes the naughty and the nice - is that we would seek Him, receive Him, love Him as He loves us.
Deborah's and my wish for this Christmas book is that it is gifted to family and friends who need to know Jesus. We have included the salvation message and prayer. Give the eternal gift of the Gospel this Christmas. God has promised that His Word will never come back void. His Word will do what He wants it to do and accomplish what He intends. (Isaiah 55:11) Our job is to send it out. God takes it from there.
May you have a blessed Christmas this year.
Love,
Yolanda
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| Book Available on Amazon |
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