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Christmas Message from Pastor Larry Do you have your Christmas shopping done? As we draw closer to Christmas, shopping for gifts for family and friends is something that becomes a part of life for most of us. There are some people who are so organized that they get their shopping done long before the Christmas season arrives. However, for most of us shopping doesn’t get done until Christmas is upon us. Then there is the question of what to buy. When a gift is chosen and given to a person, the desire of the giver is to bring blessing to the recipient. This involves choosing a gift that the person has need of and/or would like. Easy to accomplish? Not always—in fact, it is the very reason that shopping may take several hours. Then the issue of affordability enters the picture. When the “perfect” gift is found, is it something that you can afford to buy? Personally, my shopping is limited to one person—Cora. My shopping has been helped by Tractor Supply where, quite often within a fairly short period of time, I am able to find the perfect present for her. I should hasten to add that I shop elsewhere for her as well. My desire is to find gifts which will bless her and let her know how much I love and treasure her—which is the idea of gift giving. In fact, we give gifts to each other throughout the year not just at Christmas time. For your consideration this Christmas of 2011 let me suggest some gifts that you may give to others that will outlast material gifts and will keep on giving long after Christmas is past. These are gifts that everyone can give and are suitable for every age and for every type of person. First, is the gift of forgiveness. There may be people in our lives who have wronged us, said or done hurtful things to us in the past. We may have been approached by someone who is wanting our forgiveness. Withholding forgiveness leaves others in a state of unresolved feelings which may be painful so it is a gift of grace to forgive them. In fact, it is God’s will that we give this gift. In Eph. 4:32 it is written “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Second, is the gift of encouragement. We all need encouragement from time to time. We may find ourselves being “down” for a variety of reasons—whether responsibilities at work, family situations we’re dealing with, finances or other issues. So, when someone comes along and encourages us we are greatly blessed and uplifted. Again, it is God’s will that we give this gift. In Hebrews 10:25 it is written “…let us encourage one another….” Third, is the gift of truth. We live in a world that is filled with deceptive messages even about Christmas. As the well-worn but ever true phrase states: Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Sharing the truth about why Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God is giving to others the gift of truth—the truth about God, the truth about Jesus, the truth about the salvation that God offers to all of us through His One and only Son!! Christmas is not about lights, presents, and parties—these are not at the heart of Christmas—they are lovely and a blessing—but the central truth is Jesus Christ! What greater gift could we give than the truth about Him!! Fourth, is the gift of love. Jesus came as God’s gift of love to every one of us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son….” John 3:16. God loves us and He wants to have us share His love with all around us. “Love one another…” (John 13:34). God’s love is unconditional and when we give the gift of unconditional love we bring immeasurable blessing to them. We are to be channels of God’s love to others. Obviously, there are many more such gifts that we, as believers, can give to others. These gifts are priceless and will keep on giving blessing upon blessing through the years. At the end of life these are the gifts that will be remembered more than any others! Cora and I send our love to all of you this Christmas of 2011! Yours in Christ, Pastor Larry |