As well all know, over the years we have made Christmas about ourselves. We all go out and take all of our savings to spend money for Christmas gifts for others and sometimes ourselves. We don't always know what to get for our loved ones for the holidays, so half the time the gift might not be what that one person wanted. As funny as it is to get someone a gift that they say that they "like" by putting on a fake smile. I think its funnier when people get so overwhelmed and just fed up over searching for the perfect gift so they just shop for themselves. And I experienced this first hand the other day when I was working on cash register at my work, this lady was checking out and she had a friend with her as well. She had a good amount of things that she was buying and you would automatically think that she was buying the stuff for someone else. But I was proven otherwise when her friend laughed and said " You most people buy things for other people for Christmas not themselves." Her friend just laughed and said "hey there's nothing wrong with shopping for yourself." I couldn't help but laugh because I think it is acceptable to shop for yourself anytime! But that's not the point of this lesson. Just like the woman's friend said her friend basically needed to stop thinking about herself so that she could show her gratitude to others. Now think about the reason why God came to earth. He was sent here to save us for one but also to put us above himself. We should all really give to others freely all the time besides just Christmas. But as I stated in a previous blog this time of year seems magical because of birth of our God. We often receive gifts for ourselves and we don't share it. I mean I know its hard to share a pair of pants but what we receive should also be given to others to show the true colors of our hearts. Love is not shown by giving presents...the presents I'm talking about here is the gift of the Lord. These gifts may include hope, joy, faith, courage, love, strength, honesty, humility, and so much more. One way or another we all receive gifts from the Lord such as these. Some show them and some don't, but that is all based on lifestyle. If you get anything out of this, remember this... the gifts we receive and inherit from the Lord are gifts that are worth re gifting. When we hear the word re gift... the word cheap comes to mind. Several people re gift presents that they find in there homes or unwanted things you may have bought for yourself just like the woman did the other day from earlier in the story. Gifts are defined as something of value and worth to a certain person. So this is why re gifting seems so wrong because it seems like the person giving doesn't care as much. Its not about the amount or value on the gift. I'm sure you have all heard the saying "Its the thought that counts." Well that's true. Because the the treasures of this earth will fade away but the non-tangible meaning of a gift means the most. We see the things of this world but yet they don't last forever but the one thing we cant see(God) last for eternity. Ironic right? My challenge for you this week is actually really quite interesting. I want you to stop and think of all of the tradition's of Christmas. And then think about God and the story of his coming. Next I want you to put both of the stories together and stand back to see all of the similarities between the two. God had received the gift of love from his father and sent it to us...so we should so much as to think about giving that to others to spread the news.
When that lady left the store I had a feeling that she knew that it didn't matter if she was buying stuff for herself verses gifts for other people for Christmas because she knew that the gifts didn't matter. I don't know if she was a believer or not but anyone can realize that materialistic things don't compare to what a higher power gives. Remember that eternal gift cant not be measure by the hand but by the heart.
Word of the Day: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
~Hebrews 4:12
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!:) I am so thankful to have all of you in this journey!
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