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THE BEST GIFT EVER
by Susan O'Neal
What is the best gift you've ever received? For me it is the One described by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall rest upon His shoulders. His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace." Don't you find that the best gifts are the ones that have your name on them? Try personalizing this verse as if you were writing your name on a Christmas tag: "For unto you, ___________, a child is born; unto you,_________, a son is given."
I like the way the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is wrapped up in Isaiah's description. I have experienced Jesus in all of the ways Isaiah depicts Him: as One too wonderful to describe, whose goodness and greatness surpasses my imagination and expectations; as a Counselor who leads and guides me; as a mighty Warrior-God who fights to protect me; as a forever Father who calls me His child and dearly loves me; and as a Prince who left his heavenly kingdom to come to earth to save me. As the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:13-18, "He Himself became our peace. . .bringing those who were far off near with the blood of Christ."
This perfect gift was given to me in fifth grade, when my sister and I walked down the aisle of First Baptist Church in Denison, Texas, hand-in-hand, inviting Jesus to come into our hearts. Who was Jesus to me then? A little boy born in a manger; a handsome man with long hair and kind eyes (according to Sunday School pictures, not the prophet Isaiah who said there was nothing in his form to attract us to him); a Good Shepherd who carried a little lamb; the Miracle-Worker who multiplied the bread and fish in a little boy's lunch and fed a crowd; and the never-too-busy teacher who invited children to climb in his lap and pull on his beard.
Through the years, I've discovered Jesus to be the gift that keeps on giving as He continues to reveal Himself to me. In Christian college, I got to know Him better as I began attending Bible study and church regularly. In my work with Christian recording artists and authors, I saw Him transform lives through imperfect but obedient vessels using their gifts for His glory. In the losses of my life, He came through as Father to this grown-up orphaned child. As a single woman who owned her own business, He showed Himself to me as Provider. In my loneliness, He was my Bridegroom and closest friend.
God continually gives me gifts and He especially delights in "surprise" ones, such as the gift He gave me when I turned 40-my husband, David! I wanted to skip down the aisle singing the "Hallelujah" chorus. But no gift outshines the wondrous gift of my Savior.
A particularly meaningful life verse to me is Psalm 27:13: "I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Loss nearly made me despair when I was trudging through tragedy, but even then God showed me His goodness through the love and concern of friends and family and the ministering peace of His Holy Spirit. If the only gift God ever gave any of us was Jesus, we've already received the greatest gift we could ever ask for or imagine.
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