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Day 1 of God’s Gift Giving
by turtle30c
Luke 2:16-20 KJV
(16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,
and the babe lying in a manger.
(17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
saying which was told them concerning this child.
(18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds.
(19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her
heart.
(20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto
them.
Merry Christmas, as we end the Christmas Countdown I have to
wonder why this year is not better then last. After all I have much
to rejoice over this year compare to last. Last year I was newly
diagnosed with cancer and this year cancer free. Yet what will
make one appreciate life is not always what is. Sometimes I have
to wonder maybe there something truly wrong with my thought
patterns for Christmas. Then I think again, no this is normal, no
one appreciate the things we really ought to when we are going
through it or past it. Even if we celebrate life and enjoy all the
benefit life brings, without Jesus life is less fulfilling. Our eternity
bought and paid for by our Savior Jesus Christ, yet most would
not realize the journey ahead for our Savior on the first Christmas
mourn. With that my reflection of my own years going by is not
missed by insanity but the truth of the matter we seldom realize
the long term effects of events in our life. One of God’s greatest
gift to man is the ability to think and reflect. It something no one
has much time for but a necessary to remember.
Mary keep all that was said in her heart, she ponder them. She
ponder what the shepherd and the wise men said. All those that
would visit because of the baby she gave birth too. Had she
realize the sacrifice her son would make. Had she realize He
would be crucified in 33 years. I hope not, for such knowledge
could not protect Jesus from going to the cross. Such knowledge
for Mary would have been painful. Such knowledge of knowing
the result of the resurrection would bring rejoicing to the heart.
However I believe Mary understood at least the present of the
first Christmas morning. Understood this child was precious. God
had called her to give birth to Him, the Savior of the world. She
would treasure these stories and retell them to friends and
strangers, and the story would be written down for all mankind to
remember the hope this babe Jesus brings to all.
Take time to ponder, take to reflect on the birth of Jesus today.
For today is His birthday, not ours, and should be celebrated as
much in the hearts of all that believe. Consider your next birthday
giving gifts to all your friends, instead of them giving you gifts.
God gave the world many gifts that are not segregated by
salvation to all mankind, for the sole purpose of bring all people
to Him. God’s gift are to draw us nearer to Him. Jesus was the
gift that draws all mankind to Him, if one will only believe. He took
the division of sin away from us and God. He is the only gift that
can destroy the separation between us and God.
Believe in Christ today. Receive Him as Lord and ponder that
hope within you. Think and reflect on the goodness of Christ as
will as the price He paid on the cross. Think of manger, think on
what it must have been like, and receive the greatest gift of all
His name is Jesus, who is God salvation plan for man. Think of
the end result of the resurrection the victory over sin and death.
There is more then 25 gifts God gives but it is a reflection, of
what we fail to realize of God’s goodness and blessings that is
poured out on all humanity is just a begin with these 25 Days of
God’s Gift Giving.
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for the gift of thought and
reflection to remind us of the hope your Savior brings to our
hearts. May we truly be thankful for the gifts you bring to all. In
Jesus precious name, Amen.
Merry Christmas and may Christ reign in your hearts this
Christmas, from author and publisher of turtle30cshell.com
Christina Farris.
Written from December 1-25 of 2013
http://www.turtle30cshell.com
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