Do you remember the advertising slogan “The Gift That Keeps On Giving”?  The implication is in reference to a gift that gives enjoyment over and over versus a gift that provides only one-time or short-lived enjoyment, like, say, a bouquet of flowers.  The slogan was first used in the 1920’s by Victor Radio; then in 1948 Dumont Sherwood Model Televisions used the slogan to advertise their models that featured AM/FM and short wave radios.  In 1963 RCA Victor used the slogan to advertise its color television.  Later, in 1977, Kodak used the slogan in its advertisement for the Kodak Instamatic 18 camera.  More recently, in 2016, Godiva Chocolates advertised their box of chocolates as “The Gift That Keeps On Giving.”  Their gift box contained four boxes of chocolate gifts nestled in one another. Other companies have used the slogan to advertise things such as jewelry, gift cards and magazine subscriptions.      

While the slogan may be a catchy advertising phrase, there is no earthly gift that can fulfill that promise. Everything eventually breaks, wears out or becomes obsolete as newer, better models are introduced.  Nothing is permanent except God, His Word and the souls of mankind.  There is only One who could give a “Gift That Keeps On Giving,” and that is the eternal Creator of the universe, the Almighty Jehovah God, who was and is and always will be. The One who “is the same yesterday, and today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13: 8).  The One of whom the Psalmist wrote: “In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.  They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment.  Like clothing You will change them and they will be discarded.  But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” (Psa. 102:25-27).     

And He did give “The Gift That REALLY Keeps on Giving,” that will never break, rust, deteriorate, wear out, run out, become obsolete or get stolen. He gave the gift that will continue to provide enjoyment, satisfaction and fulfillment forever and ever. That gift, of course, is Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, the second member of the triune Godhead.  Arguably the most familiar verse in God’s Word, the Bible, says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).   John, the Apostle, also wrote: “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (satisfaction) for us” (I Jn. 4:9,10). 

The Gift that God gave us, His Son Jesus Christ, provides us with everything we need and want. He provides us with eternal life (Jn. 3:16; 5:24; I Jn. 5:11-13), forgiveness of sin (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14), removal of guilt before God (Ro. 5:1; 8:1), an advocate for when I do sin (Heb. 7:23-26; I Jn. 2:1), knowledge that I am loved and accepted by God (Ro. 5:5,8; Eph. 1:6; I Jn. 4:9,10), joy (Jn. 15:11; 17:13), peace (Isa. 26:3; Jn. 14:27; Phil. 4:6,7), hope (Ro. 5:1-5; 15:4,13; Col. 1:27; Heb. 6:11-19), purpose and satisfaction (Psa. 16:11; 37:4,5; Pr. 3:5,6), strength for my daily challenges (Dt. 33:25; Phil. 4:13), and assurance that He will always be there for me—that He “has my back” (Josh. 1:9; Heb. 13:5; Phil. 1:6; I Pet. 1:3-5; Jude 24,25).

Jesus Christ is God’s “Perfect Gift” that meets all our wants and needs and will last forever. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Ro. 8:31,32). “For in Him (Jesus Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete” (Col. 2:9,10). Wow, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (II Cor. 9:15).

But, before a gift becomes yours to use and enjoy, it must be received. In order to enjoy the “Gift That Keeps On Giving,” and all the joy, hope, peace, purpose and assurance that goes with Him, we must receive Him into our lives as an act of our will, saying “God, I know that I do not deserve nor can I earn your favor and gain eternal life; I know that I am a sinner and I acknowledge that Jesus Christ died to pay for my sin and offer me salvation as a free gift that is only available in Him. Please come into my life and be MY Savior and Lord. Thank you for dying for me. God, I accept your love gift to me. Amen.”     

And then we have this beautiful promise: “For as many as receive Him (Jesus Christ), to them He gives the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (Jn. 1:12).  May you experience the joy of the presence of God’s present to you this Christmas.          

Forever His,            

Pastor Dave