Okay, time to sit and make THE LIST. You know, the one filled with loved ones to
receive a gift which expresses the joy you feel due to their presence in your
life. Christmas provides prime
opportunity to express such joy through gift giving. The names fill up the lines on your paper and
the money needed to complete the shopping widens your eyes. How in the world can one afford all of this ‘stuff’?
You look to edit the names, but cannot find it in your heart
to flip the pencil around and erase.
Life would not be the same without each and every one listed. So, there you sit frustrated, torn and
broke! Sounds like a wonderful spirit
for the holidays, right? You haven’t
even faced the traffic, lines, people and disappointments in the shopping
experience yet. Oh, and the traveling
here and there, baking, hosting, gift wrapping, facing ‘those’ relatives and
forcing a happy face the whole time.
Stress accumulates each day during a season that holds such special,
dire meaning. Why does each year have to
be like this? How does all this stress
begin?
Oh, my dear friends, it all begins with one fleshly body
struggling for approval. . . “Am I now trying to win the approval of human
beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to
please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
We believe material gift giving equates love. Faking friendships amongst family keeps the
problems at a distance. Becoming a part
of the hustle and bustle society concocted over the years keeps us up to par
with the Jones’! All for what? . .
.Exhaustion, Frustration, Hatred and just Wishing the holidays would end.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Well, I want to share a small message to
relieve all of these emotions, replacing them with joy, peace and the True Meaning
of the holiday. It is quite simple
really. . .get a permanent marker (really, go get one!), gather THE LIST
created and write this across all the names – ACTS 2:38-41! You see, all these material items mean
nothing if the one true Gift is not received.
Bring the focus back on the True Meaning by leading all those on your
list toward Jesus. Providing an example,
walking in the way of love, just as God so loved us and gave His only Son to
die so we may live will be the best gift you could give anyone. Shining His light to all you meet, keeping
the conversations about Him, appreciating each Manger scene displayed, sharing
the good news of His birth and welcoming others into your home with loving arms
will keep the meaning of Christmas alive.
Society works diligently year after year to steal the
attention from Jesus. Take a stand and
do not allow the world to forget the reason for the season. Without the birth of Jesus, we would have no
example to follow and the mighty gift He gave to each of us would not
exist. God so loved us that He gave His
only Son on Christmas morning to live an extraordinary life here among men and
then die for us while we were still sinners.
Sit for a minute and let that statement penetrate your soul.
Travel here and there this season to spread the Gospel as
Jesus did. Bake with praise to the One
who provides as Jesus did. Host
wholeheartedly, offering invitation to all no matter their lifestyle just as
Jesus did. Seek and offer forgiveness to
those who broke your heart just as Jesus forgave/forgives you. Wrap and give the Gift worth giving just as
Jesus did. Push aside society’s way of
celebrating and embrace the shopping experience with a different attitude. .
.it is not the material items that express love to others; it is the one true
Gift that never quits giving that matters (best part – IT IS FREE). Each day opens new opportunities, blessings
and joy! Will you join me in sharing the
Good News this season? Guess what, my friend;
if you have not received such a Gift yourself. . .the offer stands for you as
well.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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