There are three aspects to the giving of any gift: preparing, delivering, and receiving. God did everything to prepare, deliver, and enable people to receive “the world’s greatest Gift,” Jesus Christ – the Saviour of the world.

1. God PREPARED everything for the “world’s greatest Gift” to become a reality for all people (Lk. 1:26-35)

- God is the greatest gift giver (cf. Jn. 3:16; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8; Jas. 1:17; 2 Cor. 9:15)

- Never underestimate the “good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do” (cf. Eph. 2:10)

- The preparation of the “world’s greatest Gift” was an outpouring of God’s amazing grace (cf. Eph. 1:6; 1 Jn. 4:19)

In that manger was the prepared gift of the only possible mediator between Holy God and sinful mankind (1 Tim. 2:5; Jn. 14:6). If you have been forgiven of your sins by God’s grace, through faith in the gift of Jesus Christ, I trust you are SO grateful that God prepared everything for the “world’s greatest Gift” to become a reality in your life.

2. God DELIVERED the “world’s greatest Gift” to Bethlehem according to His sovereign rule (Lk 2:1-7)

- It may appear that mankind is ruling, BUT make no mistake, the Most High is in control over all creation, history, and human affairs (cf. Dan. 4:25; Ps. 22:27-28; 66:7; 103:19)

- God does all that He pleases and no purpose of His can be thwarted (cf. Ps. 115:3; Job 42:2; Prov. 19:21; Eph. 1:11)

- What God promises, He will deliver, according to His sovereign will (cf. Micah 5:2; Josh. 21:45; Num. 23:19; Ps. 145:13)

Who are you trusting in? Who is your hope resting in? Is it in those who appear to be ruling, or in the Most High who is in control of all things, including His plans for your life (cf. Prov. 16:9). He has promised, “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). The Psalmist reminds us, “the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more” (Ps. 121:8). Paul reminds us, “there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39). The God who ensured the “world’s greatest Gift” was delivered to Bethlehem says, “be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).

3. God prepares the hearts of people to RECEIVE the “world’s greatest Gift” (Lk. 2:8-20)

- He draws people to Jesus (cf. Jn. 6:44; 37-40)

- He gives people the opportunity to hear the Good News about Jesus (cf. Rom. 10:17)

- He prepares hearts by giving people the gift of faith to believe and receive the Good News about Jesus Christ (cf. Jn. 6:65; Eph. 2:8-9)

If God has graciously given you the gift of faith, enabling you to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour, are you living a life that glorifies and praises Him? Are you spreading this good news of great joy? If you haven’t received the “world’s greatest Gift,” perhaps God is drawing you to Jesus today! “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

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