Day 11, Giving Gifts, Receiving one too

Probably nothing is more associated with the season that leads up to Christmas as shopping for presents. That is something that can be a joy, or it can be filled with anxiety and frustration looking for just the right gift.

Years ago my wife worked in a bank. She once told me that she hated the days in early December as people came in - unhappy and grumpy - because they took money out of their accounts in order to go buy presents they didn't want to buy, for people they didn't want to give them to, because they were "duty bound" to give gifts. It is a miserable way to approach giving gifts...obligation, duty, must, got-to...

Then there are those gifts that come from love, generosity, an overflowing heart of affection,...gifts that inspire us to thanksgiving. I don't think anything is so beautiful as someone giving a gift because they really want to. Then the attitude is not one of duty, obligation, but simply as an action of love.

Friends, as you shop, think about the gratefulness that accompanies the gift. Why give gifts? Because of Love... that's why God does it too. That's why he did it in the first Advent...it was because of love.

John 3:16
¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

It is the Gift of God in sending his Son that relieved us from a duty bound obligation to measure up and work for our salvation:
Romans 3:24
²⁴ [we] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

As Christians the greatest gift has already been given.

2 Corinthians 9:15
¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

The next time you find yourself singing a carol playing in the background; or a card comes from a friend just to wish you a Merry Christmas; or you walk in the beauty of creation... realize it's all God, and it's like a whisper: "I hope you like it, I did it just for you."

Peace

Comments

Wednesday, Day 25: Christmas Eve - God Loves Us (So We Can Relax)

For Kids: There’s a lot of things we have to do each day. Get up from our sleep, Get dressed, Eat Breakfast, Get ready for School, Listen to the teacher, play with friends, eat our lunch, and after it’s all done, go back home. There’s time to play, Then we eat our supper… And eventually we have to get ready for bed and go to sleep! And then we do it all over again the next day. Sometimes there’s a vacation - like right now - and we get more time to play, to have fun and not have to do work at school. Our parents are good at helping us know what time it is and what we need to do next – even when we don’t want to move on to the next thing. God is also good at helping us know what time it is, and what is next. He doesn’t shout at us, or yell, or even scream…he does it peacefully, quietly. He wants us to understand that he does it, most of all, for us. Christmas can be quite busy and there’s lots of things going on at once…but let us not forg

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime. But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov

Elliott's Muses

Search This Blog