The Wonder of the Gift: God Sent His Son to Earth
By David Bates
As we enter this sacred season, we pause before a mystery so profound it continues to stretch our faith: God sent His Son to earth. He did not send an idea or a distant rescue plan. Instead, He sent a living, breathing person—Jesus Christ—born into human history, wrapped in humility, and entrusted to humanity. For this reason, this truth stands at the heart of the Christian faith and should never lose its weight or its glory.
The Meaning of the Incarnation
The incarnation reveals the heart of God. From the very beginning, the Creator who spoke galaxies into existence chose to draw near. The Eternal One stepped into time. Rather than shouting from a distance, heaven came close enough for human hands to touch.
Through Christ, therefore, God opened His kingdom to humanity through sacrificial love. As a result, He invited finite, fragile people into fellowship with an infinite, holy God. In this way, the meaning of the incarnation moves beyond doctrine and reaches directly into human experience.
Access to God Through Jesus Christ
Through Jesus Christ, God forgives sin and grants access to His eternal kingdom. Consequently, He welcomes us as sons and daughters, appoints us as ambassadors, and names us heirs. Because of this, no human effort could ever earn such a privilege.
Angels marvel at this gift. Likewise, kings and prophets longed to witness it. Yet, by grace, God entrusted it to us.
A Seasonal Call for Christian Leaders and Ministers
In light of this truth, this season carries particular weight for those in ordained ministry. God calls us to steward this message, not as theory, but as lived reality. Across nations, cultures, and callings, therefore, those connected through Christ’s Mandate for Missions (CMM) share one commission: to proclaim, embody, and extend the gift they have received.
God Gave His Best
When we consider what God gave, the message becomes unmistakably clear. He did not offer leftovers. He did not delegate redemption. Instead, God gave His best—His only Son. Heaven poured out its greatest treasure so humanity could receive eternal life.
For this reason, divine generosity sets the standard for Christian ministry and missions.
What Christian Ministry Truly Requires
In every context of service, whether full-time or part-time, in pulpits or villages, classrooms or quiet acts of care, believers reflect God’s giving heart. Therefore, ministry does not measure success by visibility or numbers alone.
Rather, it measures faithfulness by willingness:
- Willingness to give time and energy
- Willingness to pray faithfully
- Willingness to offer comfort and care
- Willingness to sacrifice resources
- Willingness to obey when obedience costs
God Gave, So We Give
At this point, the pattern remains clear and holy: God gave so we could receive; therefore, we give so others can receive. As a result, sacrifice carries eternal life forward. In the same way, surrender advances light. Ultimately, servants who echo heaven’s generosity move the gospel across the earth.
Love, Not Force, Advances God’s Kingdom
Even now, God advances His kingdom through embodied love, not force. Jesus came low so humanity could rise. By doing so, He entered human brokenness to open the way to glory.
Because God entrusted this message to us, ministers and believers now stand at the intersection of heaven and earth—not because of personal merit, but because of divine calling.
A Renewed Sense of Wonder
Therefore, this season calls us to renew our wonder. At the same time, it urges us to realign our priorities and strengthen our resolve to give generously, serve faithfully, and love boldly—especially when the cost feels heavy.
Even so, the God who sent His Son continues to send His servants.
Finally, may we, as a global body within CMM, reflect the Father’s heart in every nation we touch. As a result, may those who encounter our lives and ministries discover more than words about eternal life. Instead, may they encounter heaven’s greatest gift—Jesus Christ Himself.
In closing, with gratitude for each calling God has given, may this season deepen joy, renew strength, and remind us that God sent His Son so the world might live.