"This is how much God loved the world:He gave his Son,his one and only Son.And this is why:so that no one needs to be destroyed ,by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life".For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"-John 3:16 -The Message
Earlier on this year,I listened to Priscilla Shearer share one of those moments she had with two of her children some Christmases ago when they were much younger.Her two sons were about to open their presents when her husband decided it was necessary to seize the opportunity to impart some spiritual truth. "Boys,whose birthday is it that we are celebrating?"he asked.The older son replied,"Jesus" while the younger son had a look again at all the Christmas presents,the decorations and the lights and asked "Am I Jesus?". She and her husband had a good laugh and I am sure you are having one too.
The stakes are probably high that you may have bought at least one present or presents for some people in this season and hopefully ,this would have been done within the budget without the use of a credit card.Unlike the very first Christmas when Jesus received gifts from the wise men(Matthew 2:11),these days everyone else seems to receive gifts on behalf of the Celebrant.
But Christmas should not be about receiving presents alone neither should the fact that we are unable to buy any presents or as many as we would like to be a cause of disharmony in the home.This is because the birth of Jesus itself is a present from God to mankind(Isaiah 9:6).This gift has also left us with a responsibility to accept(in other words" believe" - John 3:16) on one hand but unlike the wise men who brought physical presents, we are also required to give back and present ourselves to God(Romans 12:2).
Christmas presents are given once a year but the present of the birth of a Saviour leaves us a presence that is available all year round. It is honouring this presence that the first Christmas brought that we should make a priority always.
Choose the Presence above the Presents
Grace Tom-Lawyer
Christmas presents are given once a year but the present of the birth of a Saviour leaves us a presence that is available all year round. It is honouring this presence that the first Christmas brought that we should make a priority always.
Choose the Presence above the Presents
Grace Tom-Lawyer
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