Aren't gifts wonderful? Especially if it's a gift, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thank God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words!" Jesus' arrival was prophesied 700 years before his birth, and what a gift he was.
Far be it from me to disagree with Paul, however, I've never received a present that was indescribable. Christmas has always been a time of generosity from my family: my first Bible in 1959 and a transistor radio when I was 15 (I hid it under my pillow and listened to it at night until my mom got suspicious when I went through so many AA batteries!). As wonderful as these were, my most memorable and describable gifts were gifts from the heart: learning how to sew on my great grandmother Evie's Necchi sewing machine, with her being patient with a sometimes reluctant student; walking into the aroma of fresh-baked bread when we visited (she always made us kids our own little loaves and I didn't have to share with my brothers); the stories she told me about Jesus, beginning with his birth and continuing to his crucifixion and resurrection, and everything in between. My best memories resulted from the relationship my great-grandmother had with Jesus. She had a way of making Jesus real. She described him as a teacher, a healer, a kind man who cared about little children, a man whose heart broke over the sins I committed. She described him as her Lord and Savior. And in simple words, she shared with me the simple concept of her faith.
Many people in today's dark times feel there's something they've wanted all their lives, but don't know what it is. Those of us who know Jesus as our Savior should want everyone to want what we have and be prepared to answer their question, "What is it you have that makes you different?" To do that, we have to be able to describe him to those who don't know him. If we can't, how will they ever be able to have a relationship with him?
So, how do you describe Jesus Christ? What words do you use? Rather than use other people's descriptions, talk about who he is to you. And maybe use these points to prepare your answer:
Jesus,
Thank you for being the perfect gift.
Thank you for being my everything.
I love getting to tell others who you are and how my life is transformed through you.
Give me the eyes to see and the boldness to speak when the opportunity arises, and I can be your disciple and spread the Good News of who you are in my life.
