The true essence and Spirit of Christmas will never be masked under the guise of commercialism.

It is that time of the year again when people hustle, bustle and fret as they run from store to store in search of that unique and perfect gift to give that special someone.

Everywhere you look, you are bombarded with a cluttering and superfluous display of items that surely will make the task of gift giving a daunting one. The halls are decked with enticing bows, tinsels and garlands, and stores outdo each other as they compete for a chunk of your hard earned money.

Many homes have been turned into temporary stores as people hold garage sales to dispose of those unwanted gifts that have been stashed away for over a decade, while others are busy repacking those unwanted gifts for others.

It is quite clear that many people have replaced the true meaning of Christmas with mere gift giving; but the true essence and spirit of Christmas will never be masked under the guise of commercialissm.  Amidst those many gifts is one that will always stand out brightly and clearly in a special display of its own, with no price attached.

Are you in search of the perfect gift? be informed that the best gift of all requires no payment; for the price was paid in full with the blood of Jesus when He died on the Cross in our place. The bible says in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life". All you have to do is admit that you are a sinner, thank Christ for dying in your place and accept Him as the Lord and Savior of your life.

As you give this year, give with a purpose and give the gift of love. A new car, or diamond necklace, is a pricey gift that will remain worthless and unappreciated by the recipient who feels deprived of love from the giver. We must remember that the crucial point is not the gift itself but the state of mind of the giver. When God gave Jesus it was because He loved the world. When Jesus died for us on the Cross it was because of His love for us. So must we also give with love so that the purpose and meaning of Christmas will be rightly passed down to other generations. The gift of love will never end up at the flea market, or stashed away to gather dust. Its a gift that is freely given, and one that keeps giving. It is the legitimate gift and the best gift of all. That is the gift that Jesus gave, and one that we must not forget to give this Christmas and every day of our lives.

Sukky Fagbohun.