Christmas Is Coming!

Devotional for Monday, December 10, 2001 by Rod Marshall

My wife, Caroline, gets a magazine every month, one of those that are about a quarter of an inch thick. Usually, I get no further than glancing at the front cover, or the occasional glimpse when it is left open on the living room table. Usually there are a lot of women's adverts and worldly twaddle, but I know Caroline has the good sense to ignore the rubbish. She enjoys the insight that this magazine gives about topics of national importance to other women of her age, or the writers' view of them anyway.

In an article about Christmas, her magazine posed this question, "If you spend all year avoiding someone, how can you possibly have any idea about what they could want for Christmas?"

In answer to that question, our consciences and the Holy Spirit would say that there are a lot of issues there to think about. How much time have we spent over the last year with the 'not so loved ones' we know? What would they want for Christmas? Perhaps the best thing to give might be our respect, time, care, and attention, or just a phone-call.

Another question is, "Have we been avoiding Jesus too much this past year?" Jesus would be pleased if we remembered His contribution about this time of year as well. What He would like as a gift from us this Christmas?

Matthew 26:7-10 - A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice that You are King. We worship You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, because it is Your right, and because it is our pleasure and desire to give You praise. All that we are, and have, is because You have granted it and made it so. Forgive us our sins, our short-sightedness, and our selfishness. We ask that You grant within us a new heart and a fresh understanding of the Kingdom and its values. Today, Lord, as we bow before You, enable us to carry the gifts, which You have given, to the ones You love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rod Marshall <rmarshall@glos.ac.uk>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

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Today's Music:     All Poor Men And Humble.  

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