Christmas can feel chaotic and crazy sometimes.  The world around us places so much pressure on gifts, on having the most perfectly decorated home, on running around and spending money and on having a schedule that is busy and full of activities.
It’s during this time that we often forget that this season also brings with it an opportunity to slow down and re-focus our attention on the truly important things. Instead of being so focused on the external or material things that we want to buy etc. We can purposefully choose to focus our attention on the importance of acknowledging the gifts that God has given us throughout the year. We can choose to be more present this season, on slowing down a little, on recognizing the ways in which we’ve seen His hand in our lives and on giving in the way that God wants us to give.
The giving that God wants from us isn’t always materialistic or monetary. This Christmas I invite each one of us to think about the gifts that God would want us to give. Gifts of sharing more kindness, patience, love, peace, forgiveness, friendship and all of the gifts that our Savior Jesus Christ has taught us that we too can give. So, this Christmas season let’s practice turning our attention a little more away from the world and focusing instead on offering to God the true gifts from our heart.
One of the gifts we can give Him is to be grateful. To vocally express our gratitude to Him in prayer for all of the blessings He provides. We can also give God the gift of repentance. Taking an opportunity to ask God to forgive us for the ways in which we have failed or lacked love for ourselves or others.
We can also offer Him charity, by being kind to others and mending relationships with family members or others with differences around us. We can give Him our trust, we can give Him our faith. We can give Him our love by loving others and sharing with others in the way that He would want us to.
The Scriptures talk about the ways in which we give to Him and how we can offer some of these gifts to God.
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt.25:37-40)
We can experience Gods love by serving Him and giving to others and also by being humble and willing to receive from others as well.
As we center our attention on truly celebrating the birth of Christ during this Christmas season, and on allowing our relationship to our Savior to grow because we choose to offer these gifts to Him. We will see that the gifts we can offer to God will fill our hearts and minds with true and lasting joy. The gifts we offer to God will fill us way more than what any material gift can provide for us. ❤️
Through prayer, we communicate with God, expressing gratitude for the gift of salvation and all that He provides for us daily. So, let’s give God the gift of strengthening our prayers and making them more meaningful.
Every act of kindness and charity become offerings, reflecting the teachings of Jesus. In our worship, we can offer the gift of time, acknowledging the divine significance of the season.
Let’s let our lives be living testimonies, embodying the values of Christ, as we present ourselves as offerings to God, acknowledging all of the good and the blessings that we have, and all that we’re willing to give to Him during this joyous time of the year.
Acknowledging the gifts that our Father in Heaven has given us and the gift that His son Jesus Christ gave for us when He chose to give His life for each one of us individually, is truly humbling. Our hearts should be turned to Him. We can choose for ourselves to give to God the gifts of our heart and soul.
Giving purely will fill our souls with more than anything else we may receive. Giving is truly better than receiving. ♥️ So, which gifts would you like to offer to God this week?
I pray that you’ll gain insight from this message and that you’ll be able to feel God’s immense love for you. You are not alone. ♥️ The giver of all good gifts is with you to support you and help you get through anything! Trust Him, believe in Him & try to give Him your best. You’ve got this!
After thanksgiving I know I definitely need this class tonight! lol So, let’s make it our goal to come to class tonight to release stress, and to honor ourselves by doing this for our body, mind and spirit. We will also have an amazing meditation that will re-charge us and re-new us. I promise, that you’ll leave feeling better than before coming into this class. Let’s do this! love you all and see you tonight!!
Love,
Lili 🌸
