Our Gifts to God

The best way to keep Jesus in your holiday celebrations is to keep Him a part of your every day life... not just at Christmas. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will become like Him. By allowing the character of God to shine through your life, you are revealing His love, kindness, gentleness, etc. to others. This is the BEST gift we could ever give God.

If you would like to give God a gift this Christmas, consider one of these:

Give Him the gift of spending time with Him daily. Write out a covenant between you and God and sign it. Promise Him the gift of time with you!

Forgive someone. Have you held onto a grudge over the years? Extend forgiveness and Christ's love. Set an example of a Christ-like life. Corrie Ten Boom said, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."

Share Jesus with someone. As Christians, we are called to share the Gospels with everyone. This isn't always easy. Funny how easy it is to recommend a good restaurant or tell a friend about a great sale but we are nervous about telling people about Jesus. Kirk Cameron once said that, if we saw a blind man walking dangerously close to the edge of a cliff we wouldn't even think of not stopping him. We would never allow the man to fall to his death without trying to save him. However, when we don't share the Gospel with the unsaved, that is exactly what we are doing. His comment stuck with me. Find a way to share Jesus with someone this Christmas. It's the perfect time!

My friends, I pray that your Christmas will be filled with more love and joy than your hearts can contain.

Love and Blessings!
LeAnn

Receive THE Gift

A precious little book caught my eye during a recent visit to New Creation. The book, "Christmas: The Father's Gift" was written by Billy Graham and the cover features a simple wrapped gold box - a typical Christmas present. However, the box lid is slightly raised revealing a bright light within... the light of Christ.

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the
shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:2, 6)

On that night so many years ago, The Light of the World was born in a stable.

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Graham's book:

Among the most tragic words ever penned are those found in Luke's account of the first Christmas. "There was no room for them in the inn." There was room for merchants, tax collectors, travelers and sightseers, but no room for the gentle Mary and the divine Christ, who was to be born that night.

What was the cause of this tragedy? Why was there no room for Mary and Joseph and their expected Baby, except in a stable? I have some sympathy for the innkeeper. He was not hostile; he was not opposed to the couple; but his inn was crowded; his hands were full; his mind was preoccupied. After all, it was an unusually busy time, with guests arriving from every corner of Israel for the census and taxation. He probably told Joseph, "I wish I could help you, but I must keep my priorities. But I'm not a hardhearted man. Over there is the stable. You are welcome to use it if you care to, but that is the best I can do. Now I must get back to my work."

My friends, let's not miss The Gift because our hands are full and there is too much on our plates. Let's make room in our hearts for the greatest of all gifts - The Light of the World, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Holiday Preparations

If Jesus were making a holiday preparations list, what would He include? What if those who were there for Christ's birth could advise us on getting ready for Christmas? What would be on their list?

Joseph might recommend we listen closely to the voice of God to prepare.

Mary may suggest we ponder the miracles of heaven.

Perhaps the angels would propose we sing about the King.

The shepherds may gently guide us to follow their act of worship.

Possibly the wise men would teach us to give Jesus our most valuable gifts.

The innkeeper may suggest "Hospitality: open your heart and home."

And Jesus' list would likely encourage us to be a light on the hill pointing the way for others to know Him.

Comparing my to-do list to the ones above, I wonder if I lived at the time, would I have missed Christ's birth? Would my busyness have kept me from slowing down to take time to worship in the stable?

(The above is lovingly stolen from my sweet friend Van Walton. It is taken from her devotion, "Are You Ready for the Holidays?")

Friends, take an honest look at your holiday "To-Do" list. Is there anything on that list that you could remove - giving you more time to worship in the stable?

As you prepare your home for the holidays (decorations, gifts, cookies, etc.) prepare your heart first. Don't just decorate on the outside... decorate on the inside with His radiance.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn