Read all the Christmas posts

God Gives Perfect Gifts

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

Gifts are tricky business.

You can overthink them. I was Christmas shopping last weekend, and I snatched up a DVD I was sure a friend of mine would like. But then I started thinking … what if she didn’t? What if she already had it? It’s pretty presumptuous to choose entertainment for someone else … We’ve never really discussed what movies we like. Sigh … I put it back.

You can underthink them. My kindergarten-ish nephew once explained to his aunt that her present was, “Some old stuff we found on the floor that we wrapped up and gave to you.”

You can be completely obnoxious about them. I saw a photo of a card with this note written inside. “Dear [daughter’s name], You are beautiful now. We are sure you will be a beautiful bride. To help insure our wedding dress investment, please buy some scales of your choosing with this money and weigh yourself once a week. We love you and want you to enjoy your wedding day. This present might help with some of the stress. Love, Mom and Dad.” Wow…

Giving great gifts – not necessarily expensive ones – requires at least two things.

Love for the person receiving the gift.
Knowing that person well.

Of course, the best gift giver is God.

He loves us. The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. (Jeremiah 31:3) From “Jesus Loves Me” to John 3:16 we are told and retold that God loves us. But He didn’t just tell us, He proved it. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

He knows us intimately. O Lord, You have searched me and known me. (Psalm 139:1) He understands the deep longings of our heart, the need for love, for acceptance, for purpose, for fellowship and so many others.

Plus, He has infinite resources available to Him. Ephesians 2:7 mentions the “exceeding riches of His grace,” which allow Him to give lavish good gifts on us.

All we have to do is receive them.

As Christmas approaches take some time to receive the gifts God offers. Receive them freely, without guilt, with simple joy and delight in His love for you.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

A People Prepared

By Paula

“…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17

We start weeks, even months ahead getting ready for Christmas. We plan events. We make shopping lists. We schedule vacation. We clean the house. We decorate. We buy extra groceries. We work out the get-togethers — who’s bringing what, where will they sit, what if the weather turns bad, what if we get the flu? So many details. So many resources. So much energy.

And yet it seems like every year, we are less prepared.

The last thing I want to do is write a guilt-inducing post shaming us all for celebrating Christmas. Instead I want us to step back and consider a bigger picture. Remember Christmas is the First Advent. The Second is still out there.

All the preparation and joy and celebrating that comes with Christmas is just a taste of what’s to come with the Second Advent. We feel the expectation and the anticipation.

We’ve heard the prophecies.

We know the promises will be kept.

This Christmas and through the coming new year, let’s resolve to be a people prepared for the Lord.

Keep Company with Him

By Paula

November is the new December. The three or four week whirlwind between Thanksgiving and Christmas has now become six weeks. We’ve already been to three Christmas events. I look at my calendar. I listen to the announcements at church and I want to go back to bed.

Times like this are especially challenging. It seems if the pressure mounts to get everything done, I start having trouble getting anything done. I lose perspective, energy and focus, so I end up spinning my wheels.

Jesus says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest … Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

Keep company with Him.

This is what I’m working on for the next few weeks.

Study Tip: Christmas

By Paula

Just a quick Christmas study tip for this busy season-

This week, take some time to read the Christmas story. Choose Matthew or Luke, whichever you prefer.

Read slowly, out loud if necessary. Use a different translation, even. The key is not to rush over the familiar details. Savor them.

Soak in the wonder, the joy and the anticipation.

Follow the shepherds’ example. Follow the wise men’s example.

You see, studying is useless if it doesn’t produce worship and a desire to tell others what we have discovered.

May God bless you with fresh insight as you read and study the Christmas story.

Merry Christmas!

Respond Like Joseph

By Paula

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1:24 (NIV)

We don’t know much about Joseph, just what Matthew tells us.
But it’s enough. Enough to show us we need to respond like Joseph.

In the gospel accounts, Joseph never speaks.

He listens and then he acts.

He hears God’s instructions and he obeys.

He learns the truth of who Jesus is and he reorders his life and priorities around that.

I have listened. I have heard God’s instructions and I know the truth of who Jesus is.

The question is… will I respond like Joseph?

Read more about Joseph GP: Joseph by Jon Wiseman

His Name Will Be Called

By Paula

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

His wisdom is limitless.

Mighty God,

His strength and power are boundless.

Everlasting Father,

His lovingkindness is neverending

Prince of Peace.

His rule is marked by peace in our hearts, peace of mind, peace with God.

He was given to us. For us.

Merry Christmas!