The Best Christmas Gift Ever

I admit I’ve always had trouble coming up with a “Santa” list. We kids knew Mom was the one behind our Christmas gifts, so Santa was never an issue. The budget was tight, but I never felt we lacked gifts.

My husband’s family was really into gifts under the tree. They didn’t have to be expensive, but to my dismay, they always wanted a “Santa List.” I was no better at it then, than I am now. I’ve always enjoyed gift cards because I can spread them out over the year. Their reaction was, “What’s the fun in that?” But they gave me grace.

Christmas is a special season. It’s fun to receive, but also to give. My financial circumstances have varied over the years. But I still remember a principle of giving that I learned one Christmas when dollars were hard to come by.

As a lady spoke about giving, she mentioned Paul. While encouraging Corinthian believers' giving to help Christians in Jerusalem, he used the Macedonian Christians as an example. He said their giving would be judged by what they had, not on what they didn’t have. For some reason that set me free. I didn’t have a lot to give, but I could give something! (2 Corinthians 8:1-15. I was reading my NIV at the time).

He followed up with more words about cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). So, here’s the challenge: How many ways can you give cheerfully this Christmas Season, whether rich or poor?

I’m thankful God didn’t ask, “What do you want for Christmas?” I would never have known to ask for such a wonderful gift as Jesus, even if I was convinced that God is love and has my best interests at heart (1 John 4:7-10).

He took it upon Himself to bless us with the best gift of all time. It’s famously recorded in John 3:16:  For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

He gave to the world . . . to you and me . . . to all countries and cultures . . . and to all generations!

People react differently to this gift. Some fail to respond because they consider themselves unworthy. Some are too proud to ever admit they need a Savior. Others hold off because they’re determined to earn God’s gift.

But wait . . . there’s more  . . Jesus is only one of God’s good gifts! You’ll find others listed in Psalm 103:1-5. Just remember that saying “thank you” is an important part of receiving any gift.

Determine now to create a personal quiet time this Christmas. Enter into God’s presence and thank Him for the best Christmas gift ever (Psalm 100:4-5).

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May it be joyous, lively, entertaining, and satisfying.

It’s up to you . . . act . . . don’t just react!

 SPECIAL NOTE: Look for my next blog on January 05, 2025.    

Praise in Retrospect

Memories are a powerful force in our lives. Good memories lift us but some are not so enjoyable. We are advised not to let our thoughts run wild. We are encouraged to choose our thoughts and make them good ones. (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8).

Praise is an important part of worship, and that includes praise for His answers to past prayers. In Nehemiah 9, the people stood humbly before God while Ezra blessed God and gave praise for things He had previously done for them. 

To this day I give God praise for His mighty acts in my life. Let me share briefly in retrospect: God delivered me from breast cancer in 2007 after nearly a full year of treatments. He answered my prayers for a Christian husband in my last year of college. In forty years of ministry, He helped me accomplish each item He laid on my heart. I also praise Him for faithful church workers and volunteers who helped me fulfill His will.

Even as I write these things I am lifted and encouraged. Scripture says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and that God’s word stands eternally firm in heaven (Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 119:89). What a hope we have in Almighty God.

Did you know you have a God-given assignment to share with the next generation? (Exodus 3:13-15; Psalm 145:4). God makes it clear His mighty care is for every generation (Psalm 100:5, 102:18, 145:4-6).

When reading your Bible, don’t you find encouragement in the praises given for God's marvelous works, in both the Old and New Testaments?

Praise in retrospect is important. Some people like to share family legacy stories and oral histories. Other people share through art, music, writing, movies, or wireless communications.

How would you like to pursue this? The options are as endless as your creativity and your desire to praise God.

Pixabay Illustration: Writer, Thinking; Mohamed_Hassan. 

  

You Can Never Go Wrong With This

From childhood, we are trained to do something that is not only good for others but good for us. It's the simple act of saying, "Thank you."

*Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California, Davis, conducted extensive research on the practice of gratitude. He shares two key components: 1) It’s a way of affirming the good and/or positive things you have received or that are around you, and 2) It’s a way of recognizing that others have played a role in providing goodness in your life. It builds relationships and reduces isolation.

Everyone likes to hear words of appreciation . . . even God!

Are you familiar with Psalm 100? It speaks of joy and gladness, getting us off to a good start. But it also tells us how to enter into God’s presence, and why.

Psalm 100:4-5 (BSB)

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving

And into His courts with praise;

Give thanks to Him and bless His name.

For the LORD is good

And His loving devotion endures forever;

His faithfulness continues to all generations.

It’s been a long time since I read **Corrie ten Boom’s book Tramp for the Lord, but I’m thinking when she and her sister were in a concentration camp in Germany, their bunks were filled with fleas or bedbugs. As irritating as they were, her sister reminded her to be thankful it was those little creatures that made the guards less inclined to come in.

Thankfulness for little things counts just as much as being thankful for big things.

Every day is a day to give thanks. It ranks right up there with Paul’s admonition to be loving, compassionate, patient, and forgiving. But here’s the challenge . . . he says to “clothe yourself” in these character traits (Colossians 3:12-15).

There’s nothing automatic about choosing what to wear or even how to live our lives. That’s why I consider the ability to make personal choices one more thing for which I’m thankful.

Remember . . . you can never go wrong with an attitude of gratitude.

*Be Grateful, Be Sincere, and, Above All, Be Human, by Jason Kiger, STAR News, November 2024, Peer Support Program, page 13 (Column 2, Paragraphs 2, 3, 4).

**Tramp for the Lord, by Corrie ten Boom and Jamie Buckingham; Jove Books, Copyright 1978; paperback, I saw a used copy available on Amazon.

Pixabay Illustration: Note, Thumbtack Reminder; Clker-Free-Vector-Im...