It's Christmas. Depending on your family gathering or party schedule, you may have already opened gifts, are still shopping for gifts, and/or are planning to return or exchange, you guessed it, gifts. Does it ever seem to you like this whole gift thing is out of control? Isn't it true that the happiness connected to most of the gifts we give or receive is gone by the time we do this again next Christmas?
We spend too much time searching for the perfect gift and even though we may know that Jesus is the reason for the season we get pulled into our culture's commercialization of Christmas.
How do we get beyond the temporary happiness of gifts under the tree and experience the ongoing joy of Christmas year round?
By looking in God's Word, we would be wise to:
1. Spread the joy of God's gift of salvation.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others the armies of heaven praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
(Luke 2:8-14)
The shepherds couldn't help themselves! They knew the good news of the Savior being born had to be a gift to share with others. Jesus brought peace on earth through offering us the gift of salvation through his death and resurrection. Are we contagious with this gift? No matter how others respond to us, God's Spirit fills us with joy whenever we love others with Christ's life-changing love.
2. Live in the gift of God's presence in our lives.
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative, that is, the Holy Spirit, he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. "I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
(John 14:26-27)
The best present Jesus gave us after returning to Heaven to prepare our eternal home was the presence of God's Holy Spirit in us and with us. Besides teaching us and guiding us, God's Spirit brings peace in our lives, no matter how difficult or challenging life may become. The reality of God's constant presence in our lives give us peace and a joy that is supernatural! And, that should also make us a little contagious with others.
Take a minute each day this week to thank God for giving us gifts that we would never want to return or exchange because they last forever.
