Advent, Week 2, Tuesday, "Gifts"

It's the second week of Advent. I have been doing some shopping...with four kids, three who are married, and 8 grandchildren...you can understand why.
Don't get me wrong, we love giving gifts. It's one of the great joys in life to see people receive something that's personal and desired by them.

It's made me think of two things for you to ponder this day:
First of all, in a brief, but pointed way the Apostle Paul describes what Jesus means to us:
2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

GIfts...we give them because the people we give to mean something to us. At least, I hope they do.

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Secondly, Do not give out of compulsion for that is not a gift but a duty.
I go back to the best Christmas movie of all: "It's a Wonderful Life" and the sign on George Bailey's Wall:

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