I got a text from a good friend and peer (he is also my wife’s cousin) that got me thinking about the perfect gift for Christmas. Now I know there are some out there who are thinking “oh, he is going to talk about Jesus” and you are right, He is the reason for the season and the hope of the world and, yes, the perfect gift for all of us because He is the Saviour but I want to go for perfect gift part two. We talked a couple weeks ago about the citizens of Whoville and the drive for the perfect Christmas celebration. I refer to “The Grinch” starring Jim Carey where the competition was on for the best of the best, the best cooking, the best light display, the best celebration and how that took over the season, but it took a catastrophe to recognize what was the foundation of the season; it was all about relationships.
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” Dr Seuss, The Grinch
The best gift you can share with anyone is yourself; your time, your fellowship and your love. A gift bought is a finite gift, but relationships are forever. That super itchy sweater you got from Gramma comes out a couple times a year near Christmas for office parties, but the rest of the year sits in a closet or drawer. That “awesome etch a sketch” might make it through the night but after that ends up in the bottom of a toy box until twenty years later when it is found and sold because it is in “mint condition having never been used”. The best gift is that given from the heart, the gift of love and caring for those around us. It is one that will last forever and is more precious than gold. There are “things” in this world that are judged precious by human standards, then there are gifts that are considered precious in God’s eyes, and we are it.
So, back to the text. We exchanged news about what we were doing and who we were going to see. We talked about sharing with our families and said nothing about the store-bought trappings of the season. Even the text from my brother in Christ was a precious gift that I will never forget. This is the season where we share of ourselves, our hearts and our time, with all those around us just as our Father in Heaven shared His Son with us to bring us all hope, joy, peace, and love. This is the season of celebration of the King of kings, let us all rejoice as the angels did that day so long ago. The perfect gift of the season, share this gift with everyone you can throughout the year and may God bless you all richly in His love and joy.
Dec 24 at 6:00 PM, we gather to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ nand afterwards gather around the fire behind the church to roast marshmallows and share in fellowship. Then, this Sunday, our Community pastor, Eryn Austin-Bergen, brings the message He has placed on her heart to close out 2024.
Please plan to join us either in person or online at 6:00 PM this Christmas Eve and 10:30 AM this Sunday. The services will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
Yorumlar