It was billed the wedding of the year. The millionaire father had gone all out to make his first daughters wedding a memorable event.
The whos who of the town were on the guest list, and the gift registries were sent to all guests with the invitations.
On the big day guests arrived in their hundreds with their gifts. The groom was neither rich, nor from a rich family. Despite the fact that the father of the bride was a rich man, the guests bought some very expensive gifts for the couple, no doubt to impress the father of the bride.
As the couple moved into their small flat, they started opening the gifts to see what they got and from whom. There was hardly enough space to store all the gifts. But there was one package the daughter particularly wanted to see. What did her rich father buy for her? After going through all the big stuff, she realized that none of these were from her father. But among the smaller parcels there was one wrapped in brown paper. On opening it, they realized it was an expensive leather-bound Bible. They opened the first page. It read: To our beloved daughter and son-in- law on your wedding day, From Mom and Dad. Matthew 6:31-33; 7:9-11.
She was deeply disappointed. How could her parents give her a Bible? The resentment remained for years. Eventually her father died. A few years later, on the anniversary of her fathers death, she saw the Bible her parents had given her on her wedding day. She took it off the shelf where it had been left unopened all those years. She opened that first page and read those words again: To our beloved daughter and son-in-law on your wedding day, From Mom and Dad. Matthew 6:31-33; 7:9-11.
She decided to open the Bible to Matthew chapter 6 to read those verses. As she opened the page, there was a piece of paper stuck there. It was a cheque in her name from her father. It read: Pay Portia Zulu (not her real name) or bearer the sum of One Million Rand only. Her eyes nearly popped out!
She then read the verses quoted: So dont worry about these things saying What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT).
Then she turned the page to read Matthew 7:9-11: You parentsif your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.(NLT).
She started crying. How could she have misread her father like this? He loved her so much, yet she thought he didnt. What a tragedy!
A gift too wonderful
In a few weeks, the world will once again be celebrating Christmas. Many are already worrying about what gifts they should buy for their family and friends. Many are wondering what gifts they will receive from their loved ones. Sadly, few know of the Christmas gift they have already received! The reason they do not know about it is because the gift came as a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box (Luke 2:12 NCV). Like Portia who thought brown paper and a Bible couldnt be worth anything, they are tragically ignorant of what God has given us in Jesus Christ. The New Living Translation puts it this way: Thank God for his Sona gift too wonderful for words!(2 Corinthians 9:15).
You see, your parents may give you a wonderful gift this Christmas, but sadly, they have also given you sin. Yes, you will die! Before you blame your parents, please realize that they also got that from their parents, who also got it from their parents, who got it from our human ancestor Adam.
However, there is good news! Great News! The news was delivered by an angel to a group of shepherds about 2000 years ago. He said to them: I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Saviour was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord(Luke 2:10). In the gospel of Matthew, we learn that God appeared to Joseph (Jesus earthly father) in a dream saying, She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Chapter 1:21).
Like Portia, dont miss out on the joy of a wonderful gift. In Christ there is life. The birth of Christ was a precursor to his second coming. When he comes again, He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever (Revelation. 21:4).
Like the Wise Men of the East, be wise this Christmas. Open your Bible and discover the great news of the gift of God. Receive your gift this Christmas. You can also give this magazine as a Christmas gift. You can send for a FREE subscription for a loved one. It may be the greatest Christmas gift you have ever given. They may find Christ through it. Dont be deceived by the wrapping! Merry Christmas!