Receive the greatest gift of all this Christmas season

"Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

-- Acts 10:43 (TLB)

Christmas is a time when we reach a little deeper into our pockets and our hearts to give to others.

Some of our gifts are labors of love, such as when we extend homemade cookies, candies or fudge or when we invite someone to share a meal of turkey, ham, potatoes and pies.

Some of our gifts are heartfelt greetings we express by sending colorful cards with Christmas sentiments to family and friends.

Men in love give their sweethearts keepsakes of diamonds on bands of sterling silver or shiny gold to show the intentions of their hearts.

Children even get into the act emptying their piggy banks of precious nickels, dimes and pennies to buy a gift for their mom or pop or grandparents they adore.

Overcrowded malls and parking lots with no spaces available are constant reminders that this is the season for gift giving.

But when the day of celebration arrives, we get to enjoy the opposite side of giving, which is receiving.

Oh, the joy of Christmas morning, when we awake with anticipation long before the alarm goes off. Man, woman and child are excited to open the gifts waiting under the tree.

However, there's nothing like watching an excited child open their gifts. They don't care about carefully taking off ribbons and bows. They aren't impressed with festive paper. They just open and shout with joy when they receive the gift they've been longing for.

On the first Christmas morning, there were shouts of joy as well. God's gift of a Savior for our sin was finally available to everyone who would receive it. Men and women had been longing for this gift of salvation for a long time, and God finally satisfied their desire.

We can still receive God's greatest gift today. It doesn't matter how great our sin. By receiving Jesus as our Savior, we can receive the joy of forgiveness.

If you haven't done so, consider opening your heart and receive God's gift this Christmas and enjoy the blessing of receiving.