the season of giving.
Ya’ll! Christmas is right around the corner and the holidays are in full swing! I am so excited! The Christmas season is my favorite time of year- it is just so joyful! Spending time with family, drinking hot cocoa, making cookies- all of the best things seem to happen during this holiday season.
If you’re like me, you also look forward to making a wish list of your most wanted gifts and anticipating what you’ll get to open on Christmas morning! Christmas is the time for giving and receiving. Why? Because two thousand years ago, God gave us the best gift we could ever receive- His son, Jesus. Mary, a virgin, bore a child and this fulfilled God’s most special promise of sending a Savior to the world.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:7)
God promised a light to be born into the world, and just as He always does, He fulfilled it. Jesus came and saved the world. He forgives us of our sins, changes lives over and over again, and promises us eternal life.
What if instead of just making a list of all the things we want to receive this Christmas, we focus more on what we intend to give. I’m not talking about just wrapped gifts, but rather an act of kindness, a day of serving or maybe an encouraging text or call to someone you know.
Through Jesus, God has shown us the true meaning of giving. Really, it's not about what we receive from our list, it’s about what we choose to give others that brings us the most joy.
This Christmas, let’s share the hope of Jesus to the world. Let’s give to others in return of what God gave to us. Text someone. Call someone. Serve somewhere. Be the person who shouts Jesus to the world- the one who shines His light for all to see!
We live in the world, yet not of the world. Instead of following the path of thinking that our Christmas joy comes from the presents we receive, let’s follow God’s example and focus on giving the hope and joy that Jesus brings.
It’s time to say Happy Birthday to the King of the world!
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and wonderful blessings in 2024. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for you and me!
