With all Your Gifts Remember ...

Christmas is the season that we remember the Birth of Christ Jesus. A time of sharing in festivities and gift giving.

Someone once said, that Christmas is a time to be all wrapped up in family and friends, and I totally agree. We can not celebrate Jesus without celebrating each other, as scripture text has told us "when we have done unto the least of these, we have done unto the Lord."

This season it would benefit us to remember that Christ in Us is the hope of Glory. Oren Arnold had some good ideas concerning our gifts.

• To your enemy offer forgiveness.
• To an opponent, tolerance.
• To a friend, your heart.
• To a customer, service.
• To all, charity (love).
• To every child, a good example.
• To yourself, respect.

As we are shopping this year let's remember that Christmas is not in the push and shove at the stores and restaurants.

It is not in the rage in the highways.

Christmas is not in the swollen ankles from excessive cooking or decorating, or in the bodies run down from over working.

Christmas is not in the most expensive packages or the tallest of trees.

Christmas is not in give me this or get me that's ... no...Christmas is in You and Me.

Christ in us the Hope of Glory (earths true wealth)

I am not saying that you should not shop, eat out, or travel. I am not telling you not to cook, decorate or go hither and tither. No the opposite these are all part of our Christmas joys and privileges. Decorate your tree, tall or short make it shine. Do all that is in your heart to do, but in all of your doing remember to stay balanced and get the most out of the season.

When you hit the highways do it prayerfully. While shopping do it mindfully. When cooking and decorating take time to enjoy.

As you sitting with friends and families remember to relax and get the most out of your time. Don't Rush the season away and wonder where it went. It will go fast enough already. Take a Christmas Breath.

Inhale the cookies as they are baking.

Breathe in the crisp winter air as you are hanging your wreaths.

Enjoy that cup of Joe with a friend without looking down at your watch to see what time it is.

Breathe in the armor of Christ.

Gaze at the stars and wonder.

Look at the givers who some with gifts in hand and ponder, and give your gifts to others with purpose. And in all of your giving. Remember who gave first.

"God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten son
that whosoever would believe in Him (receive Him) would not perish,
but would have Life and that everlasting (eternal)."

Don't forget Love ... the greatest gift ever given.
Love the greatest gift one can ever offer. Let your light shine this Christmas for all the World to see!