THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
[CHRISTMAS DAY]
THE RADIANCE OF RADICAL GENEROSITY
BIBLE READING: ROMANS 5:8-11 (KJV)
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.KEY VERSE: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, KJV)
I. THE LOGIC OF HUMAN GIFT-GIVING
For those of us who know and follow Jesus, Christmas is a season of heightened joy and the eager anticipation of showing love through the tradition of giving. We spend weeks, sometimes months, creating meticulous Christmas shopping lists, browsing stores, and carefully selecting items that we believe will bring a smile to the faces of those we cherish.
However, if we examine our lists closely, we see a pattern. Who is usually on your list? Most likely, it is your spouse, your children, your parents, and perhaps a few close, intimate friends. These are the obvious choices. They are the people who love us back, the people who treat us well, and the people we feel “deserve” our generosity.
In the natural world, Christmas gifts are reserved for those we love—exclusively. We give out of a sense of affection, duty, or mutual benefit. But the message of the Gospel—the very reason we celebrate today—operates on an entirely different, and much more radical, logic.
II. THE DIVINE PARADIGM: GIVING TO ENEMIES
Today, the book of Romans provides a sharp, necessary correction to our human perspective on giving. Our brother Paul reminds us that the greatest gift ever given—salvation through Jesus Christ—was not given to those who were “good,” “loving,” or “deserving.”
A. Love Commended in Sin (Romans 5:8)
Paul uses a powerful word: “Commendeth.” God demonstrated or proved His love. How? By the timing of the gift. Christ did not wait for us to clean up our lives, apologize for our rebellion, or become “worthy” of His sacrifice. He died for us “while we were yet sinners.” #### B. The Reconciliation of Enemies (Romans 5:10)
The scripture goes further to describe our state prior to this gift: we were “enemies.” We were in active rebellion against the government of Heaven. In human terms, you do not buy a Christmas gift for someone who is actively trying to ruin your reputation or someone who holds a deep, bitter grudge against you. Yet, this is exactly what God did. He gave His most precious Treasure to those who hated Him.
C. Justified by Blood
Because of this gift, we have moved from a state of “wrath” to a state of “justification.” We were doomed, and the righteous judgment of God hung over our heads like a heavy cloud because of our sin. We ought to have died; the wages of our sin was death (Romans 6:23). But on the Cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ accepted to pay the penalty in our stead. He took the “receipt” of our debt and settled it with His own life.
III. THE NEIGHBOUR WITH THE QUESTIONABLE LIFESTYLE
In light of God’s radical generosity toward us, we must re-evaluate our own Christmas lists today. If God gave to us while we were sinners and enemies, how can we justify only giving to those who are “nice” to us?
Consider the neighbour next door—the one with the questionable lifestyle, the one whose music is too loud, the one who doesn’t share your values, or perhaps the friend who holds a grudge against you and hasn’t spoken to you in years. Are they on your list? Probably not.
But these are exactly the people Jesus would have us reach. In appreciation for the atonement we have received, we must go all out to give to those who have not yet given their hearts to Jesus.
A. Breaking the Barrier
A physical gift—a box of chocolates, a bag of rice, a thoughtful book, or a warm meal—can be the “icebreaker” that shatters years of spiritual resistance. When you give a gift to someone who doesn’t expect it, or someone who knows they haven’t been “kind” to you, you are demonstrating the Agape love of God. You are showing them a glimpse of the Gospel in a tangible form.
B. The Mission of the List
I challenge you today: Let your Christmas shopping list have at least five people who need Jesus. Don’t just give to the “saved” and the “safe.” Reach out to the “unsaved” and the “difficult.” This could be the only opportunity they have this year to experience the warmth of Christ’s love through a human vessel.
IV. THE GREATEST GIFT: THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION
While a physical gift is a wonderful door-opener, we must remember that the physical is only a shadow of the spiritual. As you hand over that gift, or as you sit to share a Christmas meal, why not share the salvation message?
The greatest gift you can give anyone is the knowledge of eternal life. A physical gift will eventually wear out, break, or be consumed, but the gift of God—eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23)—is a treasure that lasts forever.
- Share your testimony: Tell them what Jesus has done for you.
- Explain the “Why” of Christmas: It’s not about the tree or the food; it’s about the Rescue Mission of God.
- Offer a Prayer: Ask if you can pray a blessing over their home.
CONCLUSION: BECOMING THE EMBODIMENT OF THE GOSPEL
Christmas is the anniversary of a Gift that changed the cosmos. If we celebrate the Gift but refuse to be givers ourselves—especially to the “undeserving”—we have missed the heart of the season.
Today, as you unwrap your own presents and enjoy the company of your loved ones, let the love of God constrain you to look outward. Level the mountains of grudges. Bridge the gaps of silence. Reach out to that neighbour. Let your generosity be so radical that it points them directly to the Cross of Calvary.
PRAYER:
O God, I thank You for the Gift of Your Son, given to me when I was yet a sinner. Today, I ask for the courage and the heart to share this Gift with others. Help me to be a conduit of Your love to my difficult neighbours and my unsaved friends. Open a door of utterance as I reach out to them today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Haggai; Revelation 16
