Packing Away the Christmas Tree

 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.  Jeremiah 29:11

On Monday I took down my Christmas tree and packed away the decorations in boxes ready to be stored until next December.  As much as I enjoy putting the Christmas tree up and decorating the house, I always feel some pangs of sadness as I pack the ornaments away.    

To me, putting the Chrissy decorations away signals not only the end of the Christmas season and the end of one year, but it also marks the beginning of a new year.  

Endings and beginnings can be hard.  Last year I had a number of personal difficult times where I had to search hard to find positives in them.  No matter how many times I tried to roll with the punches, it still wasn’t easy.

A few days ago I read this quote by Joyce Meyer  “If you're supposed to be looking backwards, you'd have eyes in the back of your head.”   

I’ve made the decision to look forward, and to try to be more positive about 2014.  I’m going to do my best to put hurts behind me, to walk in forgiveness and to stop grumbling..   Even in the midst of turmoil, I want to remember that my God has plans for me to give me peace and hope. 

I know it won’t be easy but as long as I keep my eyes on my Daddy God, it will be doable. 

Jesus is the Perfect Christmas Gift

“There has been born for you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord Luke 2:11”

I usually start shopping early in the year for Christmas gifts.  The presents I purchase may only cost a few dollars but I choose each one, not out of obligation, but with someone I love in mind.  I admit that I get excited thinking of the person ripping into brightly coloured paper and I always hope that they like what I give them.

When I think Christmas presents, I’m reminded how God sent his son to earth for us. While Jesus’ life was a costly gift, God sent him with his love for us in mind.   

God says to anyone who’ll listen: “There has been born for you…a Saviour…”   Jesus really is the perfect personal gift!  He was given in love and that makes our Daddy God the perfect gift giver.

Can you imagine the joy our God gets when we truly understand that Jesus is the perfect gift for us? I really believe that He feels the most honoured when we rip into the wrapping paper of theology and tradition and fully embrace the gift of Jesus.

This is the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and we plan and think about the gifts we give to loved ones.   At this time of year, may we remember that Jesus is the perfect gift given for us, not out of obligation, but out of the greatest love in existence.

The Busyness of Christmas

Have you noticed how these days seem to get shorter and each day is busier and busier?  

Maybe it’s the Christmas season or maybe it’s just life in general.

The only time when things slow down is when you are in a rush and the line up at Coles seems to be interminably long.  Or is that just me?

Amongst all the busyness of baubles, tinsel, shopping, gift wrapping and card writing we can forget to take a breather and really focus on the real meaning behind Christmas. 

 Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It’s the time when the creator of the universe came to earth as a little helpless baby.   

We also need to remember this is the time when God came to tell us that our lives are worth more than we can possibly imagine in our wildest dreams.  We matter to Him.  Not just that, each of us individually matter to God…   It’s easy to have an idea that God loves everyone but to really know that he loves each of us individually regardless of our shortcomings is nothing short of life changing.

When you get the opportunity, spend a moment thinking on these things.  After all, God is busy spending eternity thinking of ways to lavish his love on you.