Christmas Re-Gift
By Danny Hernaez
Greetings from Frisco TX! (dancing with the beautiful baby Olivia J)
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11)
My office staff no longer buys presents for each individual person. At our annual gatherings, we have a “white elephant” gift exchange. Instead of a separate gift for each person, we just bring one present each, usually something from around our house that is no longer wanted or needed. Many times a white elephant gift turns out to be a re-gift. The idea of re-gifting appeals to me!
I have pondered how to re-gift the joy found in the Christmas story that Jesus gives – “a great joy which will be to all people.” I believe the best way is to display our joy in all circumstances, good and bad. We may not enjoy the situations we find ourselves in, but we can have joy. Our joy can issue forth from the fact that Jesus came to earth as an infant, ministered, died on the cross and resurrected from the grave. He did this as a gift for all of us.
Will you decide with me to re-gift the promise of Christmas joy when days become stressful because of holiday schedules?
Let us give joy when we can’t purchase the “perfect” gift because of budget restraints. Let us share Jesus’ joy and offer to help our neighbors, our churches, and our communities.
The wonderful thing about re-gifting the joy of the season is that you still get to keep your joy! Let the world know the truth about Christmas. It is not about the Christmas tree, the food, the festivities or the gifts – it is about Jesus being born as the world’s Savior. It’s about what the angels declared over 2000 years ago, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
It is a gift we should give year round to everyone in this stress-filled world, because, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Will you re-gift the joy found in the true meaning of Christmas both now and throughout this coming year?
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of joy this Christmas season. Teach me to re-gift this joy to the people who You bring across my path. Also, remind me to re-gift Your joy every day, not only at the Christmas season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. <(((><
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God is not the big Scrooge in the sky,
critically looking down on his flawed children
and waiting to condemn those who mess up.
Instead, he saw how broken, flawed, and messed up we were
and entered our world to save it ... to save us.
God's purpose in sending Jesus is our life and our salvation.
<(((><
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