Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!


Last Friday when I was unloading Luke's backpack and going through his candy canes, art work, manger scenes, etc. I came across the above picture.  I was immediately convicted.   And talk about providence, I was reading on Rick Warren's blog THAT SAME DAY and this was his devotion...
“They bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 NCV)
Often, Jesus gets shut out during Christmas. Imagine I planned a party for you and invited many people. Everyone brings lots of gifts, and the invitees trade presents with one another — and you get nothing.
That’s Christmas. We give gifts to everyone but Jesus. But let’s be honest — what do you give the God who has everything?
Actually, Jesus doesn’t have everything. There are four things he doesn’t have unless you give them to him this Christmas:
Give him your trust. Faith is a voluntary matter. Jesus doesn’t have your trust unless you give it to him. He will never force it.
Make Jesus first place in your life. If anything or anyone other than Jesus holds first place in your life, it’s an idol. This Christmas, choose to make Jesus first in your finances, interests, relationships, schedule — and even in your troubles.
Give Jesus your heart. Your heart is what you love, what you value, and what you care about most. Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”(Luke 12:34 NIV). One important way you give Jesus your heart this Christmas is by giving your resources to his work. Jesus doesn’t need your money, but he wants what it represents — your heart.
Bring other people to Jesus. God wants a family more than anything else this Christmas. He wants children who choose to love and trust him. It is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Invite someone to Jesus this Christmas. Tell someone about what Jesus has done in your life.
The Bible tells us that the Wise Men didn’t give Jesus their leftovers when they visited him on the first Christmas but instead gave three very significant and valuable gifts:“They bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11 NCV).
As you give Jesus your trust, make him first in your life, give what you value to his work, and bring other people to him, you’re giving him gifts far more valuable than the ones the Wise Men brought.
So tell Jesus “happy birthday” this Christmas. Give him your best.
Merry Christmas, friends!!! Love y'all!!!

11 comments :

  1. Beautifully written! It is all too easy to completely miss the reason for the season. May you know the fullness of God's blessings this Holy day and always.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Merry Christmas, Andrea!!! What a blessing you have become to my daily quiet time. Thank you !!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Merry Christmas and God Bless you and your family this year!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well said! Merry Christmas, Andrea!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Merry Christmas, Andrea!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this! We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus after we prayed for our Christmas meal.

    ReplyDelete

Blog design by Get Polished | Copyright 2016