T-3 days!

It's here! After weeks of shopping, planning, fighting crowds, traffic and the elements, the time has finally come to share our gifts with our loved ones this Christmas. For many of us "Fusionites," the time has also come for us to serve the many individuals and families God put in our path this year through Advent Conspiracy. I think somewhere deep in our hearts, we all find much more joy and satisfaction in giving than in receiving - whether it's meeting a real need or simply a demonstration of affection for a loved one. There's just something about seeing someone's face light up when they receive a gift that is meaningful to them.

As we grow ever closer to Christmas day, a thought has been stirring my heart that has never really occurred to me: I wonder if the Father found great delight and pleasure in giving us the gift of his son? Think about it for a second: the coming of Jesus was the perfect remedy for our deepest need. The birth of the Son of God is announced as "good news" with "great joy" with singing and praising. And as John 3:16 reminds us, the coming of Jesus was a demonstration God's love for the world. How could such an act of love not bring the Father pleasure?

At the same we've probably all been given a gift we really didn't get at the time. Whether we didn't see the value in the gift or understand the thought, planning or sacrifice that went into the gift- sometimes we don't receive the gift with kind of joy we should. The same was true of the gift God's son. The people who understood the significance of Jesus' birth responded in praise and thanks to God for bringing about the deliverance they had been waiting for so long. Others needed a little more explaining. Still others like King Herod, totally didn't get it. Rather than seeing the birth of the Messiah as the gift he needed most, He saw God's gift as a threat to his power. I wonder if this - missing the point of the gift - grieves the Father's heart as much as it gift itself brought him pleasure. Jesus himself wept over the misunderstanding of those in Jerusalem who didn't get the significance of his coming.

This Sunday we will not be meeting for our regular corporate worship gathering, but I would like to encourage each and every one of us to spend time with your loved ones and ponder the gift of God in your hearts. Does the gift that brought the Father such pleasure and was announced with great joy bring joy to your heart? Does your response to this gift bring pleasure to the great Giver? Or more to the point: What difference has the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised messiah, made in your life and the people around you?

I would like to challenge us to take this a step further. Instead of merely making this a personal reflection, take some time to ask your loved ones these questions on Christmas day this year. Maybe this will lead you to a time of worship with your family. Or maybe this will be a chance for you to share this good news, this gift, with someone you love. Either way, make this Christmas day meaningful by responding to God's gracious gift with delight and joy!

I pray that all of us would have a very meaningful and memorable Christmas this year!

This week’s blog brought to you by Chael Tiller. ;o)

Week 4

12/22: John the Baptist-Luke 3:1-20 (River)

12/23: Mary-Luke 1:26-56 (Angel)

12/24: Joseph-Matthew 1:18-25 (Hammer)

12/25: Jesus’ Birth-Luke 2:1-40 (Jesus in a Manger)