Christmas Gift

Hebrews 13:5 Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.

Christmas is a season just begging for encouragement. For some, it can be a season of great joy, or a season of real gloom. They say (whoever ‘they’ are) the holiday season has the highest suicide rate of the year. Emotions run extremely high for some to exceedingly low for others. Seems to me they can reach an exaggerated state in either direction. There is nothing like the eyes of a young child twinkling with anticipation on Christmas morning to bring a smile to the parents…unless of course, there is no tree or presents and little food in the pantry. The twinkle fades quickly when the child realizes all the commercials in the world have lied about Christmas.

Then there are those who have no one with which to share anything, however lavish or meager their resources might be. I have spent the holidays alone…well, except for my loyal dog, Roxy. My kids had other plans with other family and I had Roxy. Initially, I would blow it off by telling myself it didn’t matter, it was just me, and made little effort to have any sort of celebratory meal or atmosphere. I was missing the point entirely. Christmas isn’t about who you have around you; it is about celebrating the birth of your Savior. That extraordinary event on a cold winter’s night gave us the most wonderful gift of all. Raising a glass of champagne in a room full of people may tickle your fancy but raising your eyes in thanks and prayer to the Reason for the Season, Jesus - the true Christmas story, is a heart to heart gift exchange.

The Christmas story demonstrates what can happen when we allow our faith to reach beyond what we understand. It’s the same faith which brings stories of healings our way; it delivers alcoholics, gamblers and drug addicts from destructive addictions, restores broken relationships, comforts a grieving spouse, and reminds us all that hope for the Christian is never lost. This is the Christmas story we must teach our children and grandchildren and share with those around us, wherever we may be.

God can use us mightily to serve Him. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small country church, a mission field in Mongolia, in a crowded store, your workplace, or a home office where you work to follow the call He gave you. Where ever we may be, regardless of social ladders and economic circumstances, He will bless us as we serve Him this Christmas season and every day. Hebrews 13:5 Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ and those that do not know Him yet, regardless of the season in which they may find themselves, need a word of encouragement from you. What better than the real Christmas story? It’s a gift that costs very little but has immeasurable lasting value.