Christmas Reveals God's Heart; And Ours - by Pastor Allan!
There is something about the Christmas season that not only reveals the heart of God, but reveals our hearts as well! The Christmas story reveals God’s values and his generous spirit. Our celebrations also reveal our values and the state of our generous spirit!
The Christmas season brings out the best and the worst in us and those around us. One moment we may serve in a homeless shelter and the next we find ourselves shoving our way through the crowd on Black Friday.
God’s actions in the Christmas story are some of the best acts of a generous God. God gave himself. God’s real gift was “just to be there with us!” "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us (Matthew 1:23 – NKJV)." That might not seem like much of a gift if we talk about our presence being our gift! That’s especially true if it’s for somebody we are with regularly! But God’s gift of Jesus - being with us - came when we were alone and lost and without hope. That’s why we receive the gift of “God being with us” with such eagerness and joy!
God gave freely with no strings attached. It was up to us to decide how to receive his gift! God gave with a generous spirit . . . to those who don’t deserve it; to those who can’t repay! “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10 – NKJV).”
It’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of giving to those who gave to us; giving to those we hope will give to us; or, giving to those we are supposed to give to. God’s gift had a benefit that only required one response. Just receive it! God gave for the pure joy of giving! It’s a heart condition. He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive (Jesus quoted in Acts 20:35 – NKJV).' "
For many of us the end of year is busy and full of people. We can get “peopled out!” But many others are lonely during the end of year celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Somebody BEING with them would be such an incredible gift. Not just dropping off a gift basket or serving them in an outreach meal but BEING with them. Maybe a cup of coffee in a coffee shop, plus an hour of your time BEING with them, listening, caring.
The Christmas season brings out the best and the worst in us and those around us. One moment we may serve in a homeless shelter and the next we find ourselves shoving our way through the crowd on Black Friday.
God’s actions in the Christmas story are some of the best acts of a generous God. God gave himself. God’s real gift was “just to be there with us!” "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us (Matthew 1:23 – NKJV)." That might not seem like much of a gift if we talk about our presence being our gift! That’s especially true if it’s for somebody we are with regularly! But God’s gift of Jesus - being with us - came when we were alone and lost and without hope. That’s why we receive the gift of “God being with us” with such eagerness and joy!
God gave freely with no strings attached. It was up to us to decide how to receive his gift! God gave with a generous spirit . . . to those who don’t deserve it; to those who can’t repay! “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10 – NKJV).”
It’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of giving to those who gave to us; giving to those we hope will give to us; or, giving to those we are supposed to give to. God’s gift had a benefit that only required one response. Just receive it! God gave for the pure joy of giving! It’s a heart condition. He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive (Jesus quoted in Acts 20:35 – NKJV).' "
For many of us the end of year is busy and full of people. We can get “peopled out!” But many others are lonely during the end of year celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Somebody BEING with them would be such an incredible gift. Not just dropping off a gift basket or serving them in an outreach meal but BEING with them. Maybe a cup of coffee in a coffee shop, plus an hour of your time BEING with them, listening, caring.
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Christmas Reveals God's Heart; And Ours - by Pastor Allan!
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