Growing up, my favourite part of Christmas was the presents. The worst part of Christmas was that my parents making us wait until after lunch to open them. Unlike normal families who eat at 12pm, we usually ran late and ate at 3pm – missing the Queen’s speech and prolonging the wait for presents.

My parents often retell the story of when my dad chose my Christmas present. He had bought me a remote-control Lightning McQueen car. He was very excited for me to open it. However, 9-year-old me couldn’t care less about this iconic red car and was utterly ungrateful. I wanted the glitz and glamour of a barbie, with interchangeable outfits – a very ‘in’ gift for a 9-year-old girl.

Just like this, nowadays, we want what’s new and current. The latest viral thing, whether it’s a Stanley cup, matcha lattes or Adidas gazelles. Yet these crazes fade away.

God’s gift to us is central to the Christmas story. A gift that will never go out of fashion and that will never leave you unsatisfied.

Isaiah 9:6 tells us “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

A baby was born, a normal baby, nothing special. Except he wasn’t just any other baby, he wasn’t normal, he was the most special. Jesus, the Son of God, was sent to earth for us. An innocent baby, and  the miracle maker.

Jesus will grow from this little baby in the stable to become the Son of Man who died on the cross for us. He died to save those that love and believe and those that have asked for forgiveness.

So, this Christmas, before you start unwrapping your presents, remember the reason for them. The reason for the gifts, the decorations and the celebrations. The One that came to save us was given as the greatest gift.