A baby born to die.

     At age 33, only days after some welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, others wanted him dead, though he was innocent of any crime.

     He was nailed to a cross. When he died at mid-afternoon, the skies turned dark. There was an earthquake. In the temple at Jerusalem, the curtain covering the Holy of Holies, the Presence of God, tore itself in half.

     Three days later, Jesus' tomb was empty. His disciples and others saw him. He spent time with them, ate with them, showing he was alive. While talking to a lage crowd of people, he rose up in the sky and disappeared into the clouds.

     All for a reason.

     The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God. That was the first sin. Ever since then, everyone sins. We do what we know is wrong, and don't do what we know is right.

     The penalty for sin is death. The only sinless person who ever lived is Jesus.

     Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus had to die on the cross to win forgiveness for everyone who chooses to accept his gift. Forgiveness of sin means eternal life with God.

     The real Christmas gift.