The greatest gift

Source: Good News Magazine

How many people know the reason why the day following Christmas Day is called Boxing Day in so many English speaking countries?

When Christianity had a greater influence on people’s lives generally than nowadays, the day on which the birth of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, was celebrated was considered most holy, comparable with any Sunday. It was therefore quite out of keeping with the solemnity of the day to be occupied with selfish interests.

Christmas presents were originally a reminder of the greatest gift that was ever given in human history: God’s gift of His only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the world. Christmas Day was therefore dedicated wholly to the remembrance of God’s goodness and grace in giving Him. Christmas presents, which were then packed in boxes, were not handed out until the following day; so Boxing Day signifies the opening of the boxes containing the presents.

How things have changed! Who in our day could imagine holding what the majority of people regard as the most important and exciting aspect of Christmas in abeyance for twenty-four hours?

Dear reader, God’s gift of His Son was not complete with His birth: He came to die, for He could not be the Saviour by any other means. He died for you, if only you will believe it and accept Him as your own Saviour. If you understand that you are lost and need saving, in God’s sight, receive Him in your heart today. Then you will appreciate the measure of the gift God gave for you personally.