Good morning dear sisters and many blessings as you begin to celebrate Christmas. I hope you will pour a cup of tea and relax for a moment as I share a few thoughts with you.
I hope you are enjoying the days of preparation for Christmas. No matter how you and your family celebrate, I pray that you are rejoicing in the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can rest in His love–none of the trivial things matter. Christ’s birth was never about a shopping frenzy and trees with gifts. Neither was it about disappointment or sadness in reflecting on all that can’t be or isn’t being done. None of these things matter. What matters is to know the Lord and how much He loves you.
Many people will go through the holidays and not give a second thought about why we give gifts and celebrate this wonderful time. We rush around and try to make sure every detail is taken care of, from installing all the batteries in toys to keeping specks of dust off the coffee table. Things have to be just perfect for this time of year. We have to make sure we have the perfect gift for everyone.
God knows exactly what we need. He gives us good and perfect gifts. Just to help us know our spiritual perspective in these last days leading up to Christmas, let us be reminded of God’s perfect gifts to us. If there ever was a gift that everybody needs, a one-size-fits all, a can’t-do-without gift, this is definitely it.
God gave us the gift of a Savior, the gift of salvation, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of grace.
What do you do with a gift? I suppose all parents have had the experience of searching for a special gift for their child and then after all the effort, watching the child play with the box it came in. The feeling you have at that time approximates the feeling God must have about some of the gifts He gives us that we never use.
This Christmas we should thank God for His gifts (II Corinthians 9:15). We should use those gifts (I Timothy 4:14). We should share those gifts (II Timothy 1:6-7). And we should add to those gifts (II Peter 2:8).
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
~ Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV
About Jackie Henry
Writer Jackie Henry is the founder and director of the “Teacup Widow’s Ministry,” a ministry designed to bless, encourage and empower widows. Jackie was a widow for nine years when she met and married Rev. Larry K. Henry, who is an ordained minister in the Church of God. Jackie has served as the director of Women’s Ministries at the Lawrenceville Church of God for 14 years. She has been employed by North Ga. Church of God Executive Office for 17 years. Jackie and Larry have been appointed as pastors of the Dahlonega Church of God At Mercy Hill. Jackie has learned that God’s Word will mix with life’s experiences to create the wisdom that is needed for living. Her love for God has given her a winning combination.
