“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
The Christmas Season in the month of December is a very exciting time for many people world-wide. There are two major reasons for the celebration of the Christmas Season.
There are many people who are solely involved in the physical side of the Christmas Holiday. This group of people is totally absorbed in the traditions of pagan origin of this holiday, the Saturnalia; which was a holiday celebrated by pagans in the winter solstice. This pagan holiday was highlighted by partying and the exchanging of gifts.
This tradition is now wrapped with the addition of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, Christmas folklore, giving and receiving gifts, and Christmas parties. Also, early in the history of the Catholic Church, this holiday (Saturnalia) was wedded to the holiday celebrating the Birth of Christ.
In this first group of people, the Christmas traditions of gift-giving, parties, and family gatherings have over-shadowed the Birth of Christ; until the word “Christ” has been replaced with an “X” – becoming “X-mas.” Christ is nowhere to be found in the modern worldly view of the Christmas Holiday.
However, there is another group of people who view the Christmas Holiday with spiritual discernment. Their main focus is the celebration of the Birth of Christ, as described in the Gospel of Luke in the Bible; His Life; His Death; His Resurrection; His Ascension; and His Rule as reigning King of Kings.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” In verse 14, Paul explains that this gift is not a what, but a who: “for the exceeding grace of God in you.”
Who is the “grace of God in you”? The answer is Christ.
Christ is the Grace of God (John 1:14, 16, 17; Romans 3:24; 5:15; Ephesians 2:8-9), who lives in the Regenerated Child of God (Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:14-16).
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.” (John 1:15)
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:16)
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
Therefore, Christ is the “unspeakable gift” for whom Paul gave thanks to God.
Why is He (Christ) the Unspeakable Gift above all other gifts?
1) All other gifts are conditional; predicated on human emotions.
2) All other gifts have an end.
3) Christ is Eternal God in the flesh.
4) There is no way to fully describe the depth, height, length, and width of the Love of God.
5) The Gift of God, Christ, shall be forever and ever
How can one explain the Incarnation of the Eternal Word?
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)
(See also Hebrews 10:1-22 and Luke 1 and 2.)
How can one explain the Atonement of Christ on the Cross?
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Whereby His People were Justified, Sanctified, and Redeemed:
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:24-25)
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
How does one explain the Resurrection of Christ from the dead?
“And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:3)
“And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:” (Luke 24:4)
“And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)
“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,” (Luke 24:6)
(Read 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 1:18.)
Whereby He was declared to be the Son of God with Power:
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” (Romans 1:4)
Without which we are still in our sins:
“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12)
“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:” (1 Corinthians 15:13)
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)
“Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.” (1 Corinthians 15:15)
“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:” (1 Corinthians 15:16)
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)
“Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” (1 Corinthians 15:18)
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)
“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:21)
Therefore, we have experienced His Resurrection in Regeneration:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:5)
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6)
“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:7)
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:” (Romans 6:8)
“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9)
“For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (Romans 6:10)
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)
Obviously, no one can define, describe, or explain the greatness of the Unspeakable Gift, God dwelling in the Regenerated’s spirit; or explain how He abides forever in the Regenerated’s spirit.
Therefore, which gift should we honor during this Holiday Season? Is the human gifts? Or the Unspeakable Gift, Christ dwelling in the Believers, who is our salvation now and forever? (Read Romans 8:29-39.)
The answer is simple. Christ is the Reason for the celebration of this Holiday Season, for He is The Unspeakable Gift. Hallelujah!
This Gift is based on the Eternal Purpose of God, which is unchangeable, and forever and ever. It is not based on the merits of man, but on God Himself; and not on emotions, but on His Purpose.
Therefore, every Regenerated Believer in Christ is a possessor of the Unspeakable Gift. Therefore, our primary and only focus should be the Honor and Worship of King Jesus, and not the pagan traditions of this Holiday Season.
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