I remember as a young child, Christmas was the most favourite time of year. As soon as it was December, I asked my parents every day, “Is tomorrow Christmas?” It was so much fun to wake up on Christmas morning. I loved watching the lights twinkle on the tree and stare in wonder at the star that sat at the very top and the gifts beneath the tree.

On Christmas morning my dad would read the story of the birth of Jesus from the big family Bible. Dad would then say a prayer of thanks to God for sending his son, Jesus. We would all be patiently waiting for Dad to say “Amen” so he could start giving out the presents. I never grew tired of the Christmas story, but it was hard to wait just the same.

Most times the presents were just what we kids wanted. Other times, especially when money was scarce, I would try very hard not to be disappointed. I was always thankful for what I did receive, and the day was so much fun that Christmas would still always be my favourite day of the year. I always picked my favourite gift and keep it with me all day and sometimes the whole week, because I never wanted Christmas to be over.

The best gift we can receive is Jesus. God gave his only Son, Jesus, to us as his gift. Jesus was the one God promised to send us a long time ago. God loved us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to the earth to be born as a baby. Jesus loved us so much too, that when he grew up, He was willing to suffer and die for us. He died on the cross to pay for all the wrong things we do. I’m really glad that Jesus didn’t stay dead. He came back to show that he was the Son of God before he went up into the clouds to be with his Father in heaven.

Sometimes we had friends come to visit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some friends were a big surprise. Others were like – boring. It was always good to hear the excitement in the house though, no matter who came to visit.

To have Jesus visit, I mean ACTUALLY visit, would be awesome. In truth, it always seemed that Jesus was our special guest at Christmas. And do you know when I was six years old, I found out that Jesus could not only visit, but he would come to stay. All I had to was to ask Him.

You see, we all do wrong things. This is called ‘sin’. God never sins, and he hates sin but Jesus loves us and wants to stay with us every day. God gave us his Son, Jesus, as a special gift. When Jesus grew to be a man, he died for us on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Now we can always have Jesus with us. Jesus is the only way that we can ever be right with God.

When Jesus went back to his Father in heaven, he sent us a helper, the Holy Spirit, to help us do what is right.

When I asked Jesus to forgive me for my sin, and to be with me always, I started to understand all this really makes Christmas every day of the year – Jesus is the best gift.

Jesus is always there for you, waiting for you to talk to him. He wants to be close to you and nothing will stand in the way between you and God. You can enjoy his friendship everyday forever. Isn’t that the best Christmas present ever?

A prayer you can pray with your Mum or Dad:

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth as a little baby. Thank you for Christmas so we can celebrate your birth. Thank you for growing up just like I’m growing, and thank you especially for dying on the cross for my sin to take the punishment for me. Let me know your love in my life every day. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help me live the way I should. Thank you, Jesus, for being the best gift of all. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee

Tags: children, Christmas, devotion, gifts, Jesus