Gò0dNews for Kids
Receiving the Gift
C
by Danny Hesterly
hristmas is all about receiving. “For to us a child is
be the fulfillment of all of God’s promises…what!?! Sidenote:
born, to us a son is given,” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
yes, I have been listening to “Mary, Did You Know?” by
I was at a coffee shop with one of my best
Pentatonix. You see, God was giving this little family the
friends last week talking about Christmas (the best time
greatest gift in history. All Mary and Joseph needed to do
of year). I said to him, “You know, Christmas is all about
was receive this wonderful news. Look how Mary responds
receiving.” He didn’t wait a second to say, “Dude, you’re
to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you
crazy!” Maybe my understanding of the Bible is a little
have said about me come true,” (Luke 1:38, NLT).
different, but if you take a moment and look at the passage in Isaiah 9:6, the writer tells us that “a son is given.” So, here’s my big brain thought: since God is the great gift giver, we have the wonderful opportunity to receive this gift.
Mary received this wonderful gift from God with a big, open heart. Both of my kiddos—one is twelve and the other is ten—have said yes to Jesus being the leader of their lives! I’m a very happy dad. You see, once we receive God’s wonderful gift of Jesus, God doesn’t stop there. Since God is the great gift giver, He continues to give us love, joy and peace. And as my two kiddos grow in wisdom, I get a front row seat to watch these wonderful gifts be unwrapped in their lives every day. This is the best time of the year! Christmas lights hanging from houses, hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows floating on top, and peppermint sticks, but the music is the most special of them all. All of these songs and carols pointing to this one amazing moment in history— the birth of Jesus. You can hear these
My favorite thing about Christmas is watching people
songs played on the radio, in restaurants, in your home, and
open up presents that I have given them. Do you want to
I’m pretty sure in candy stores. You see, God’s great gift is
know a secret? For years I have used my birthday money to
being shared all over the world. That’s amazing!
buy presents for my family and friends (my birthday is ten
Christmas is truly about receiving this great, wonderful
days before Christmas). You see, every gift is intentional and
gift from God—His son Jesus. Because we receive this gift of
guaranteed to bring anyone joy.
love from God, we can share this wonderful Christmas gift
Think about this: when the angel brought the greatest
to the world.
save the world from their sins—this baby boy is Emmanuel (which means “God with us”)—and that this baby boy would
8 // December 2021
About The Author
news ever to Mary, and told her that this baby boy would Danny Hesterly lives in Chattanooga, TN where he spends most of his days in coffee shops helping others discover their part in God’s amazing story. Danny has two children (12, 10) and has been married to his lovely bride for 17 years.
