HAVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO EXCHANGE?

 I'M CARRYING A VALUABLE FREE GIFT

CLIMBING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL 

In the remote Sichuan Province in China, Debra a blond hair missionary takes some of the children that live below, up an 800 meter climb to the village above on Sunday morning. Debra smiles, "Are you excited about Christmas?  Did everyone bring a gift to exchange for your classmates?"

A boy named Dong speaks, "I love to make paper crafts.  Everyone's going to like my gift."

Debra replies, "Dong, keep you gift a secret."

A cool morning breeze blows as the children climb, one run at a time.  Mei a young girl shouts, "I love to paint, can anyone guess what gift I'm bringing?"

Ying, another girl guesses, "Could it be a painting of a bird or animal?  My gift is something a girl would like to wear."

Debra adds, "I wish we had gloves to wear, my hands are cold holding onto the metal ladder.  I wonder who would like to receive a valuable free gift today?"

A quiet girl named Fen waves one of her hands, saying, "Me!"

Debra shouts, "Keep both hands on the ladder.  Let's get to our classroom and celebrate Christmas!"

Fen replies, "Sorry!  My gift is something good to eat, everyone will love."

Beautiful birds fly by as they climb up the ladder.  Chun with red cheeks, "God's birds are here to bless us.  I love to make gifts made of wood.  It's going to be the best gift."

Dong adds, "Is it a gift for girls only?"

Debra interrupts, "Don't say another word, I want each gift to be a surprise and I want everyone to be happy what they receive."

Debra reaches the top, offering a hand grip for each of the children to reach to safety.  All the children clap their hands after everyone is on top the plateau.

Later in the classroom, Debra serves Sticky Rice Balls and Juice for all of the students. Debra begins, "Does anyone know why we celebrate Christmas?"

Dong replies, "It's Jesus Christ's birthday!"

Debra continues, "Who is Jesus?"

Ying speaks, "He's the Son of God."

Debra continues, "Yes, Jesus is totally God and totally Man.  God humbled Himself to become a man, so he could live with us."

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

All of the gifts the children brought were gather on a table with a red table cloth.  

Fen grins, "Debra, can I be first to chose my gift?"

Debra shakes her head 'no.'  "Look at all the wonderful gifts you have brought.  I don't want anyone opening their gift until everyone has received there Christmas present and I tell you when to open it."

Debra points her finger, one child at a time as they wander over to the table and grabs a gift.

Fen is the last one to walk to the table, seeing her gift still remaining there."

Fen says, "That's my gift on the table."

Debra smiles, "Fen, you can trade your gift with anybody, just be happy!"

After trading gifts with Dong, Debra speaks, "Open your gifts and say 'Thank You!"

Dong stands up, "I got a yummy nut roll.  I'll take it home and eat it later."

Mei adds, "Someone made me a new scarf!  I wonder who made this fantastic gift!"

Ying talks, "I love this wooden house, thank you!"

Chun giggles, "Look at the paper bird."

Fen marvels, "I adore this painting of flowers."

Debra is silent for a moment, "I have one more gift.  It is very valuable.'

Dong, "Is it made of gold, silver or gems?"

Debra continues, "It is a valuable free gift from God.  All the gold, silver and gems in the world cannot buy it."  Debra hold a small box wrapped in red paper.  "And it's no longer a free gift if you have to work for it."

Ying questions, "What is it?"

Debra continues, "It's your choice if you want this gift, but you must be willing to receive it."

Mei is the only one brave enough to walk over Debra and take the gift.  Mei says, "Can I open it now?"

Debra smiles, as she opens it.  All eyes were staring at the present, waiting to see what she would pull out.  It was a wooden plaque with and a ancient nail to hang it on the wall, with the word "GRACE," engraved, and painted in red.

Debra reads:

"All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory.  People are made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ."  (Romans 3:23-24  ICB - International Children's Bible)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

(Ephesians 2:8-9  NKJV - New King James Version)

Dong asks, "I see the word 'GRACE' on the plaque; but what does it mean?"

Debra replies, "Grace is a free gift from God, that you never worked for or even deserved.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16 NKJV)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9  NIV)

Mei asks, "How can I receive the gift of Grace?"

Debra adds, "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from death, then you will be saved."  (Romans 10:9  ICB - International Children's Bible)

Dong stands, "I want that gift of Grace too."

Debra concludes, "We are all sinners on a pathway to eternal destruction and our righteousness is like filthy rags.  We become righteous when we have faith in Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness, turning away from our sins, and receiving His free gift of Grace." 

All the children in the class stand up to receive Jesus.

 

Debra continues, "Our sins make us guilty and we should have been the one dying on the cross.  God gave his only son Jesus to die in your place if you receive this free gift.  Anyone want this gift.  Do you believe in Jesus?  Are you willing to turn away from sin?

The class shouts, "I do!"

Debra holds the Grace plaque, saying, "Do you have faith believing in Jesus Christ?

Stand up if you would like the most valuable gift in the world, God's Gift of Grace.  And you will receive the Holy Spirit and eternal life with Jesus!"