…the light from heaven is about to break upon us…. Luke 1:78

While frantically knitting and crocheting to complete some Christmas gifts I have watched several “Christmas movies”.  You know the kind, a person is too busy for love and family then learns the “true meaning” when they admit they quit believing in Santa Claus because they asked Santa for something that they never got so they went on to just get everything themselves. In the end, of course, they find a girlfriend or boyfriend and determine santa is real so this is Christmas spirit.

I got to thinking how often we go to God with our prayers and when we don’t get what we want decide that must mean there is no God, no Jesus, no hope.  Unless we get what we want there can be no God.

Part of the fun of Christmas comes in opening a gift from someone. You don’t know what it is, the anticipation of what this person felt would be a wonderful gift especially for you is exciting. What if you never opened the gift?  What if you just accepted the package and set it on the table, never opening the present? Like the teddy bear in front of my house, you look at the gift, admire the packaging, but never accept the gift inside.

Romans 6:23 tells us of a gift God has for us. It is “the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ”. This gift is available to “all who call on the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13).

The gift if made available to all, but not all will accept it.  Accepting the gift does not mean you will get everything you want. It means you will be “adopted into God’s family” (Romans 8:15).  “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlesslessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome” (Ephesians 3:12).  No waiting in line to get to his lap, no disappointment he has stepped away for a break.

More important than material gifts, remember the gift of life given to us through Jesus Christ. Like the gifts we place under our trees, this gift is free for you. Don’t leave Jesus in the manger or under your tree. Invite Him into your life and accept His gift of love and salvation never-ending.

Wishing you a beary Merry Christmas