Christmas Giving of 2010
We all know that Christmas is a time of giving. From every pulpit, every preacher's lips, and from every devotional we are told how important it is to focus on giving at Christmas rather than on receiving. And I agree, this is very important. Well, not to be redundant, but the Lord has laid on my heart some words about giving that I want to share with you this Christmas.
On Christmas we celebrate the birth of the greatest gift to mankind imaginable for all generations. It sometimes seems as if this birth was brought to us as quietly, as insignificantly to the world as possible. It was just a baby being born out in a smelly stable, in the cold, on just a plain winter's night. But this birth was much more than insignificant. Every detail of this birth and the life that followed was planned meticulously by the master Creator and nothing was left to chance. Before Mary, the mother of baby Jesus, discovered she was with child, God had worked on every detail...every person...every event...not one person crossed this tiny baby's path or was a part of any event or detail of his life, from birth to death, that was unknown by his Father...God! God gave us a gift...a tiny seemingly insignificant birth of a baby...God gave us salvation, redemption, eternal life and he gave it to us all under "the radar".
This Christmas, so far, I have been given many seemingly "insignificant gifts". The six young carolers that showed up at my door the other night in the dark and cold to bring carols of Christmas joy to me. A gift of giving...nothing in it for them but cold temps. and damp darkness but for me a glorious concert out under the stars that brought me much joy. The people rejoiced at the willing response, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord". 1 Chronicles 29:10. Then there was the sales clerk that had to reprice some jewelry for me because the pieces had lost their tickets. She picked the absolute lowest price she could find (this was already 70% off then take off another 30%) and priced the pieces at that rock bottom dollar amount. These wonderful pieces of jewelry ended up costing me just dollars each. A gift of giving....nothing it in for her but truly a gift for me. I was so excited I couldn't help but tear up in front of her and her response was "go on baby, you and your BABY have a wonderful Christmas!" Thank you Lord. In the grocery store, the lines were very long and everyone was impatient. The woman in front of me had some sort of problem with cards and money and it took forever. The cashier was doing her best but the transaction was just not working. The masses behind me where getting worked up as everyone is stretched for time. When all was resolved and it was my turn to check out, the cashier actually took my hand and told me thank you for all my patience. A gift given in secret soothes anger". Proverbs 21:14. She seemed overcome by gratefulness and then told me several times to have a merry, merry Christmas! A gift of giving...nothing in it for her. She didn't have to thank me for my patience, show any gratefulness, or even tell me merry Christmas but a gift for me. It made me aware of how stressed workers are during the holidays and how far a little patience goes. Thank you Lord for shinning out through me! And then there is my Daddy! The two of us always talk often but during this season we have been giving each other encouragement. And without even knowing it he gave me a gift, a gift that helped tremendously with the stress that comes with the holidays. After a day of being stressed and overcoming it he calls me on the telephone and tells me he has something for me to worry about! Then he laughs and laughs. Such a comic...a gift of giving...nothing it in for him but a show of love, compassion, understanding, and humor for me. Since then, at random times we have been calling each other and saying we have something for the other one to worry about...of course, only when we know the other has had a "good day". But this one small exchange is something I will remember for many Christmases ahead. Lord, thank you for giving me such a wonderful Daddy, a one-of-a kind! "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:4.
These are examples of God's kind of giving...the same way and with the same motive he brought us that tiny baby born in a simple manager on a insignificant winter's night. Each of these seemingly random acts of giving are not insignificant to me. They have impacted my holiday, my emotions, and walk with my Saviour. Each of these acts has been a reminder to me of the greater gift that we celebrate on this holiday. And if you think these are "random" acts then think again. Each and every one was thought out in detail and planned by our Creator, the same creator that planned every detail of that seemingly "random" birth some 2000 years ago. Each one of these "givers" was hand picked by the Almighty to play a part in my holiday season. And thank God they answered the call...the Holy Spirit within them was paying attention!
What would Christmas be without presents and pretty packages and bows and tags...certainly not as pretty?!There is a place for presents...after all the wise men brought the best of the best! Gold, frankincense and myrrh. I love buying and giving presents. I want to give back to all the people I love and care about. Frankly, I really even like the shopping...on the trail for what that special person would really like. But the Lord has shown me to be heightened to the Holy Spirit for any opportunity to give to anyone who passes my path. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16-17. He has shown me that during this season of giving that there are no "random" acts of giving...no "random" acts of receiving...we just need to listen more attentively...be more receptive to leading of the Holy Spirit....be aware and watch. Just like the wise men watched the sky for the star to lead them, we need to listen to that whisper in the crowd. We need to give...a kind word, a patient smile, a word of encouragement, a phone call to someone that is lonely, a visit to a shut-in or hospital patient. We need to give something that is wrapped as simple but that to someone else has a lasting impact. That is Christmas giving.... WAIT, I hear something.....
Is that a baby crying in the distant...AND LOOK! there is a bright star shining in the sky and a great company of heavenly hosts are praising God...the baby Christ child is here!
On Christmas we celebrate the birth of the greatest gift to mankind imaginable for all generations. It sometimes seems as if this birth was brought to us as quietly, as insignificantly to the world as possible. It was just a baby being born out in a smelly stable, in the cold, on just a plain winter's night. But this birth was much more than insignificant. Every detail of this birth and the life that followed was planned meticulously by the master Creator and nothing was left to chance. Before Mary, the mother of baby Jesus, discovered she was with child, God had worked on every detail...every person...every event...not one person crossed this tiny baby's path or was a part of any event or detail of his life, from birth to death, that was unknown by his Father...God! God gave us a gift...a tiny seemingly insignificant birth of a baby...God gave us salvation, redemption, eternal life and he gave it to us all under "the radar".
This Christmas, so far, I have been given many seemingly "insignificant gifts". The six young carolers that showed up at my door the other night in the dark and cold to bring carols of Christmas joy to me. A gift of giving...nothing in it for them but cold temps. and damp darkness but for me a glorious concert out under the stars that brought me much joy. The people rejoiced at the willing response, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord". 1 Chronicles 29:10. Then there was the sales clerk that had to reprice some jewelry for me because the pieces had lost their tickets. She picked the absolute lowest price she could find (this was already 70% off then take off another 30%) and priced the pieces at that rock bottom dollar amount. These wonderful pieces of jewelry ended up costing me just dollars each. A gift of giving....nothing it in for her but truly a gift for me. I was so excited I couldn't help but tear up in front of her and her response was "go on baby, you and your BABY have a wonderful Christmas!" Thank you Lord. In the grocery store, the lines were very long and everyone was impatient. The woman in front of me had some sort of problem with cards and money and it took forever. The cashier was doing her best but the transaction was just not working. The masses behind me where getting worked up as everyone is stretched for time. When all was resolved and it was my turn to check out, the cashier actually took my hand and told me thank you for all my patience. A gift given in secret soothes anger". Proverbs 21:14. She seemed overcome by gratefulness and then told me several times to have a merry, merry Christmas! A gift of giving...nothing in it for her. She didn't have to thank me for my patience, show any gratefulness, or even tell me merry Christmas but a gift for me. It made me aware of how stressed workers are during the holidays and how far a little patience goes. Thank you Lord for shinning out through me! And then there is my Daddy! The two of us always talk often but during this season we have been giving each other encouragement. And without even knowing it he gave me a gift, a gift that helped tremendously with the stress that comes with the holidays. After a day of being stressed and overcoming it he calls me on the telephone and tells me he has something for me to worry about! Then he laughs and laughs. Such a comic...a gift of giving...nothing it in for him but a show of love, compassion, understanding, and humor for me. Since then, at random times we have been calling each other and saying we have something for the other one to worry about...of course, only when we know the other has had a "good day". But this one small exchange is something I will remember for many Christmases ahead. Lord, thank you for giving me such a wonderful Daddy, a one-of-a kind! "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:4.
These are examples of God's kind of giving...the same way and with the same motive he brought us that tiny baby born in a simple manager on a insignificant winter's night. Each of these seemingly random acts of giving are not insignificant to me. They have impacted my holiday, my emotions, and walk with my Saviour. Each of these acts has been a reminder to me of the greater gift that we celebrate on this holiday. And if you think these are "random" acts then think again. Each and every one was thought out in detail and planned by our Creator, the same creator that planned every detail of that seemingly "random" birth some 2000 years ago. Each one of these "givers" was hand picked by the Almighty to play a part in my holiday season. And thank God they answered the call...the Holy Spirit within them was paying attention!
What would Christmas be without presents and pretty packages and bows and tags...certainly not as pretty?!There is a place for presents...after all the wise men brought the best of the best! Gold, frankincense and myrrh. I love buying and giving presents. I want to give back to all the people I love and care about. Frankly, I really even like the shopping...on the trail for what that special person would really like. But the Lord has shown me to be heightened to the Holy Spirit for any opportunity to give to anyone who passes my path. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16-17. He has shown me that during this season of giving that there are no "random" acts of giving...no "random" acts of receiving...we just need to listen more attentively...be more receptive to leading of the Holy Spirit....be aware and watch. Just like the wise men watched the sky for the star to lead them, we need to listen to that whisper in the crowd. We need to give...a kind word, a patient smile, a word of encouragement, a phone call to someone that is lonely, a visit to a shut-in or hospital patient. We need to give something that is wrapped as simple but that to someone else has a lasting impact. That is Christmas giving.... WAIT, I hear something.....
Is that a baby crying in the distant...AND LOOK! there is a bright star shining in the sky and a great company of heavenly hosts are praising God...the baby Christ child is here!
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!
Luke 2:14
Blessed Christmas to ALL...
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