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A Gift For You

Jesus Christ: God's Personal Gift

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11 (NKJV)
Bishop Dr. Darlingston Johnson
December 29, 2025

Key Scripture

"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.'"
Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV)
Jesus is God's personal gift to each individual - a gift that must be unwrapped, received personally, and celebrated.

God Chooses the Excluded

  • God chose shepherds - society's rejects, the unclean
  • Not a king's palace or beautiful temple, but a quiet field
  • Those excluded, looked down upon, treated as though they didn't matter
  • God doesn't value according to titles, education, or possessions
  • Every person has equal worth in God's eyes
  • Never think you're better or inferior based on worldly standards

You are somebody because you are God's child

Unto YOU - Personally For You

  • If angels only said "good news for all people," shepherds would have excluded themselves
  • Years of rejection made them think they weren't part of "all people"
  • Many believers exclude themselves from God's promises today
  • We disqualify ourselves based on self-evaluation and comparison
  • Your name is on the gift of salvation
  • Jesus is the gift to all people, but also God's gift to ME
"Don't exclude yourself from blessings God has freely given"

Unwrap the Gift

  • A gift with your name on it must be unwrapped to be enjoyed
  • Many Christians lack joy because they haven't unwrapped Jesus
  • You'll be surprised at how big the gift actually is
  • God provides help: the Holy Spirit, pastors, fellow believers
  • The greater the revelation of Jesus, the greater the joy
  • Take possession, appropriate, and begin enjoying all you have

Unwrap Jesus today and discover the fullness of what you have in Him

Rooted in History

Not Myth, But Reality

A Real Savior for Real Needs

  • Our faith is not based on myths, fables, or philosophy
  • On a certain day in history, during King Augustus's reign
  • In the particular city of Bethlehem, Jesus was born
  • Shepherds saw Him, He grew up in Nazareth, walked Israel's streets
  • Performed miracles, was crucified, died, and rose on the third day
  • There were eyewitnesses - women, disciples, over 500 people
"Jesus is a REAL Savior providing REAL salvation for REAL people with REAL needs"

God Always Keeps His Word

From "He Will Come" to "He Has Come"

From Promise to Fulfillment

  • For 5,000 years, God promised "He will come"
  • Genesis through Malachi - consistent message of a coming Savior
  • Then 400 years of silence - no prophets, no fresh words
  • Silence doesn't mean God has forgotten
  • At the fullness of time, "He will come" became "He has come"
  • Over 400 prophecies fulfilled to the letter
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void."
Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

A "This Day" God

  • We can look back at what God did yesterday
  • We can look forward to what He will do tomorrow
  • But our God is a "this day" God
  • This day, Christ is your Savior. This day, Christ is your Lord.
  • This day, God is answering prayer, working miracles, giving breakthroughs
  • We serve a right now God and an on-time God
"Don't just live in memories or future hopes - experience God's presence TODAY"

The Gift Is God Himself

  • "Lord" in Luke 2:11 is the translation of Yahweh - God
  • In Christ, the giver is God and the gift is God
  • God has not only given you a gift - God has given you GOD
  • If God has given you God, He's given you the answer
  • He's given you the breakthrough, the healer, the strength
  • All that God is, is yours in Christ Jesus

God IS the answer. God IS the breakthrough. God IS everything you need.

Prayer for Personal Appropriation

Lord Jesus, I declare today that You are not just the gift to the world - You are the gift to ME. My name is on this gift of salvation. Just as the angel said "unto you" to the shepherds, You say "unto you" to me. I refuse to exclude myself from Your promises. Though You love the whole world, You also love me individually and personally. I receive You, I take possession of You, I appropriate You, and I will begin to enjoy the fullness of all that You are. Jesus, You are MY Savior, MY Lord, MY answer, MY breakthrough, MY everything. Holy Spirit, help me unwrap the gift of Jesus so I can truly see what I have. Give me revelation upon revelation of His love, power, and presence. The greater my revelation of who He is, the greater my joy will be.
Luke 2:10-11; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:17-18

Prayer for Trusting God's Promises

Father, I thank You that Your word is sure. For 5,000 years You promised "He will come," then after 400 years of silence, "He has come." Over 400 prophecies fulfilled to the letter. What You spoke thousands of years earlier came to pass exactly as promised. I'm in a season where I've heard from You but now there's silence. It seems like You've forgotten. But this story encourages me and builds my faith. No word of Yours is void of power. No word of Yours will return void. It is IMPOSSIBLE for Your word not to come to pass. Has He said it? Then He WILL do it. I will not doubt what You've said during the years of silence. I will go back and remind myself of what is written. Your word was true in Genesis and it's true in 2025. What You promised me WILL come to pass. This day You are my Savior. This day You are my Lord. This day You are working in my life.
Isaiah 55:11; Numbers 23:19; Habakkuk 2:3; Hebrews 13:8

Unwrap Your Gift

Receive Jesus Today

"Like the shepherds: believe the good news, act upon it, and tell everyone what you've seen and heard."

Jesus is God's gift to YOU. Your name is on it. Unwrap Him today!