What was your favorite Christmas gift of all?

What was your favorite Christmas gift of all? Can you even narrow it down to just one? What have you received that you thought nothing could ever be better?

Children get an early start making their lists to Santa. In days gone by, when the JC Penney gift catalog came, children would get excited, poring over it and circling the items their childish hearts desired. Now the “best” gifts a person could ever want or need are broadcast through multitudes of advertisements on various platforms. Every request, every gift included in that Christmas morning surprise under the tree, becomes the Best Christmas Gift Ever — at least for a while.

As adults we may be put to the test to list all the many blessings, material or otherwise, we enjoy on a daily basis. Healthy bodies, warm homes, clean water and enough food to fill us are some of the most fundamental gifts we all seek to enjoy or, perhaps, take for granted. But there is a much more important gift we may be neglecting.

God knew from the beginning of mankind that everyone needed this gift of eternal salvation. The Bible tells us that all of us have sinned and have fallen short, but God has made a way through faith in his only Son, Jesus Christ.

From the beginning, God planned a way to save us from a hopeless life. Everyone needs hope. Everyone needs love. Everyone needs life. Everyone needs Jesus. Each one of us has an immortal soul, and the decisions we make here in this life determine where we spend eternity. Belief in Jesus and what he has done for us will become the best gift ever received.

In II Corinthians 9:15 in the Bible, it is talking about what Jesus has done for us when it says, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” It is urgent you don’t miss out on this indescribable gift of forgiveness, eternal life, peace, hope and joy in Jesus.

If you don’t have a church home, the people at First Baptist Church of Coshocton, 618 Chestnut St., would welcome you to join in regular services every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Christmas is a time to celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. You also are invited to join them in celebrating Jesus’ birth at the Christmas Eve service Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 3:30 p.m.

Also, if you live in the Chestnut Street neighborhood or if you’re just visiting the neighborhood, stop by First Baptist’s new Free Little Library box hanging on the banner sign frame. Help yourself to a good read. Learn more about us by searching First Baptist Coshocton on Facebook.

Jesus came to Earth to provide the free gift of salvation at great cost to himself. I urge you not to neglect putting this gift on your Christmas list. It will be your best Christmas gift ever.

Christine Sycks

Warsaw