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The Devotional Diva – Christmas is For . . .
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The Devotional Diva – Christmas is For . . .
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)
“. . . And without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22b (NASB)
I was watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas the other night. It is a Christmas tradition to show this old cartoon clip each holiday season. However, it’s been a while since I actually watched it. Poor Charlie Brown seemed so unhappy with his holiday and all he wanted was to find the real meaning of Christmas. He simply longed for someone to tell him what Christmas was for!
Let me attempt to do for you what Linus did for Charlie Brown. Two things in particular have pranced across my heartstrings, as I pondered with old Charlie Brown. The first thing is a principle that actually began last Christmas. I was attending our gal pals Bible class Christmas party and excitement was high. We all anticipated good food, good fellowship and a grand time during our gift exchange. Little did I know that before the festivities got into full swing, I would be the recipient of an unexpected gift and it did not come as an exchange.
Kim and Janine arrived together that evening. Janine brought Kim as a guest and a most welcome one, I might add. Kim was wearing a beautiful lapel pin. It was a Santa’s hat and it caught my eye. My eyes appreciate Christmas pins of all sorts. I was admiring it when she, without fanfare, removed it from her sweater and pinned it to mine! I tried to object, as that was not my intention. Kim looked lovingly and hushed me with her words, “But I want you to have it after all, Christmas is for giving.
Gee, wished I’d thought of that! Christmas is for giving. Although that principle winds up convoluted in the commercial far too often, Christmas is a season for giving. After all, it started out with God giving the first gift, a small baby wrapped in rags - lying in a manger. Without a doubt, it was the most precious gift in history. The Father lovingly gave Jesus to the world without any thought of exchange, except for perhaps, your heart. Oh, the places we could go from here, however for the sake of time, I’ll let you travel ahead with the Holy Spirit in the lead.
Now that brings us to the second thing Christmas is for, it is forgiving. How can we truly be a giving people if we are an unforgiving people? With the New Year looming ahead of us, two of the biggest attitudes we should step into 2006 with, is our give-atude and our forgive-atude.
Although the fulfillment of Christ’s ultimate act of forgiveness did not come to pass for 33 years after His birth, that precious birth set into motion the process by which we can stand forgiven in front of a mighty and holy God. The God who, I might add, expects us to practice the art of forgiveness, not simply for the sake of those who might offend us, but for our own sakes as well.
What is unique about Christmas is that we could discuss for days the meaning of Christmas, or at least the ramifications and applications of the blessed birthday of our King. I guess I just wanted to share these two particular things as God laid them on my heart (and with good reason). As our thoughts turn now toward a New Year with new goals and resolutions, let us keep our hearts and minds enriched with the fact that Christmas is for giving and for forgiving. God gave us a perfect example to follow in Christ Jesus; we are expected to live it out each day. If we abide in these, there is no better way to keep Christmas alive in our hearts not only on December 25th, but every day of year!
Have blessed and prosperous New Years!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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