12/24/2021
As we welcome Christmas and the New Year, I would like to share that I am thankful for the gift of God’s eternal love, which He wrapped in the flesh of a precious baby, in swaddling clothes, and laid under the stars and trees. Enveloped in the love of a mother and father, witnessed by angelic beings and earthly flock, and sought after by the wise, Christ was presented as a gift for all mankind to enjoy forever.
I must say that I’m not a good gift wrapper, opting instead for bags & tissue. My gifts have no eternal measure or even the guarantee that they will last through the season. I haven’t planned them from the beginning of time. In fact, some have been purchased during the hustle of the season and ordered online with a prayer they would arrive on time. Some gifts may not be the right size and thus may require a return visit to the store for exchange or refund. Some of my gifts may not be liked, may be regifted or set on a shelf until the release of guilt allows for placement in the trash. All of my gifts, however, are given in the hopes that, for even a brief moment, someone will know they were thought of and held in importance. It is an honor to give, and an honor to receive.
As you face gatherings with colleagues, friends, family and loved ones, I encourage you to ask not what they are doing for you, but what you can do for them (a great quote 😊). Through conscientious and intentional stewardship of your actions, words, time, money, and energy, do your best to bring a smile, some relief, warming of the heart, and knowledge of your love to those around you. Leave your resentments, impatience, pride, laziness, greed, and selfishness at the door, for these are the gifts of darkness. Interestingly enough, they were also first offered under the trees, but in the beautiful and deceptive wrapping of a serpent’s seduction.
Be careful of the gifts you accept, and those you offer. Watch that your gifts cannot be added to the serpent’s treasures. The most valuable gifts are those that both express and inspire love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. An unbeatable combination for your chosen words are blended kindness and honesty. Through these gifts relationships are restored, love is kindled, character is nurtured, and darkness exchanged for light. May God bless you with constant reminders of His love for you and wisdom to know how to share it.
