“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

This might not seem like your typical Christmas verse, but when you really think about it, if it weren’t for that first Christmas morning, when Jesus was born,  we would all still be facing the full payment for our sin: death and separation from God.

We are all sinners. As we teach the kids in the Journey Kids ministry: Sin is anything I think, say, or do that displeases God (and yes, if you could see me right now, I’d be doing the motions as I say that!).

If we continue living in sin, we continue earning the wages of sin, which is death. But here’s the good news: we don’t have to keep paying that price. God offers us something so much better, not wages we earn, but a gift we receive. The gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.



At Christmas, we give and receive all kinds of gifts. I also remember some of my favorite gifts like a foam green and purple dinosaur chair, pajamas from my brother, and many other things. But this season is really about celebrating the greatest gift ever given, Jesus. Through His birth, His life, and ultimately His death and resurrection, we’ve been given the gift of forgiveness, hope, and eternal life.

Jennifer Noble