11-26-2016

      Good Morning All,

            Romans 3:24;” and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”

    So, when you shop for gifts, are you a “thinker-planner” or are you a “grab and go”?  My wife is the ultimate “thinker-planner.”  She starts planning and looking for gifts months in advance.  She listens closely to what people talk about.  She listens as they speak of what they would think was fun or interesting.  She even can listen to what they think is interesting and figure out what would be a good present that would complement the original idea. 

    She then begins shopping early and then planning the way that they will all match and mix together.  She is the consummate “thinker-planner”.  I am a “grab and go” shopper.  I don’t plan very well.  I am very easily swayed by a good display at the store.  I have a difficult time shopping early; there are too many things to choose from.  For some reason, I have this returning idea that the perfect gift will fall into my cart as I push up and down the aisle.  Many a time a perky young store employee has offered to help me find what I am looking for; I just tell them I’ll know it when I see it.  Most of my shopping occurs in the last 72 hours before Christmas gift giving.  My wife only lets me shop for one gift- hers.

    Gifts at Christmas is a long-held tradition.  It goes back about as far as we can tell, at least in the European tradition.  It may have started when the priests at the local churches gave out a little extra of the alms to the poor in the parish.  Whenever it started, it quickly became the custom.  It went to the 12 days of the Christmas season with people giving a small gift each day.  Giving gifts has become, for some, the ONLY part of Christmas that some see.  Yet we know it is more than that.

    As we look at the gifts we give and receive, we need to remember that God has and continues to give us the greatest gift of all; the gift of salvation.  This gift gives us life and hope.  It gives us the ability to face the trials of the world and know that we will prevail.  God’s gift to us is the returning of us to his family.  Sin causes us to run away and to try and hide but God’s gift is to return us to his love and grace.  God’s gift is to remove the pain of the devil’s torment.  We know and can trust that what lies the devil tells us are just that- lies. 

    God’s gift to us is the truth.  It is the truth about his undying and everlasting love for us.  Love that existed before the foundation of the world was laid.  This gift of God’s grace goes beyond anything we can ever comprehend.  It is the true gift that keeps on giving us life and hope.

Father of all wondrous gifts, through your gracious love we have the most wonderful gift; we have the gift of eternal life.  Guard us by your loving arms and guide us to trust in your mercy.  Grant us the strength to fully use the gift of your love and to live the life of contentment which you have laid out for us.  Protect us by your hand.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret