After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
Spend Less - PEACE
We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas...just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season. The whole meaning of the Advent season prior to Christmas is this: a gift from God is on the way. The basic reason we offer Christmas gifts to each other is to honor and reflect the only perfect gift ever offered--the gift of God through a Bethlehem baby named Jesus. The problem is not Christmas, it is our expectations. We are looking for the wrong thing!
Our level of joy at Christmas is directly related to where we look.
The Magi show us how to increase our level of joy at Christmas by looking for the right thing. What was it they were looking for? They came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” They were looking for Jesus. Christmas for them was an opportunity to worship Jesus. The problem was they used their heads and went to Jerusalem because that is where the king would be. Our logic tells us that Christmas will be all we want it to be if we just spend more. Expectations set up disappointments – Re-set the scale!!!
The Magi show us how to increase our level of joy at Christmas by looking for the right thing. What was it they were looking for? They came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” They were looking for Jesus. Christmas for them was an opportunity to worship Jesus. The problem was they used their heads and went to Jerusalem because that is where the king would be. Our logic tells us that Christmas will be all we want it to be if we just spend more. Expectations set up disappointments – Re-set the scale!!!
Our level of joy at Christmas is directly related to what we give.
With the season of giving upon us come the usual Christmas questions: To whom should we give? What should we give? How much should we give? We can let our joy be stolen by the feeling of having to give the perfect gift or the best gift.
Advent Actions
· Pause and ponder: Read the Christmas story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 and ponder the deep meaning of what it means that Immanuel, God with us, has come to dwell in us.
· Invite Jesus into your “impossible” situation: Christmas is a time for miracles to take place. I love the words of Gabriel to Mary found in Luke 1:37:“For nothing is impossible with God.”
· Buy one less gift this year and use that money to give more: Ask God how He wants you and your family to bless someone else this year.
· Tell your family and close friends that you don’t want a typical Christmas present this year.
Consider the following quote from Advent Conspiracy:
We are constantly searching for the one thing that will satisfy us. Yet each time we trust the promises of our possessions, more barriers are raised between our true selves and God’s plain command to love [Him] above all things. It’s not that we necessarily want more – it’s that what we want is something we can’t buy.” (From “Advent Conspiracy,” page 24)
We are constantly searching for the one thing that will satisfy us. Yet each time we trust the promises of our possessions, more barriers are raised between our true selves and God’s plain command to love [Him] above all things. It’s not that we necessarily want more – it’s that what we want is something we can’t buy.” (From “Advent Conspiracy,” page 24)
When you look for the right thing, look in the right places, and give the right gift, you will have joy at Christmas.
Scripture to Claim:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
