Joy To The World!
At the writing of this article, Thanksgiving is two weeks away and Christmas only a month and a half! Thanksgiving is a wash amidst the push for Christmas – though this special day has not arrived. Dillons, Wal-Mart, and the home improvement stores are all decorated and wishing patrons a “Merry Christmas!” I am even hearing Christmas songs on the radio! The marketing machine is running full tilt in hopes of collecting our “merry making” and “gift giving” dollar. Gifts are cool and giving them in love, appreciation, and as an extension of the greatest Gift ever given is wonderful. However, maybe, our gift giving traditions need to change to include the apostle Paul’s-guide for gift giving found in Philippians 2:1-4... “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul lists three gifts our family, church, and others in our life need to receive from us this Christmas… Unity – the gift that makes God and other believers’ joy complete. It brings joy to a father’s heart when his children are united, extending a common love to one another, and working together in one spirit and purpose. According to Paul there are at least two ways you give this gift to others. First, by showing to them the same encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, and compassion as you have received in Christ. Second, this gift is given by expressing unity to those around you in practical actions. Proverbs 3:27 explains, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.” When your kids ask to play a board game or attend one of their events and you have the availability and power to respond, then act and express the gift of unity. When your spouse needs you to listen or join in an activity and you can fulfill their wishes if you choose too, then become united with them by meeting that need or joining them. When the church is gathering or pursuing a goal, express the gift of unity by being present and partnering with your church family to reach that goal. Participation is an expression of the gift of unity. Humility – this attitude makes it possible for us to give good gifts. Often our gift giving can become about us. Either we do not want to take the time to find the right gift for a person or we work too hard and spend too much money trying to look good or impress with our gift. The key here is to give a gift with the goal of blessing another instead of you. Them first – you second. Spending yourself in the interests of others. The life and teachings of Jesus declared that the “good life,” the “happy life, and the “beautiful things” in life are not found in looking out for your own interests, but in spending yourself in the interests of others! Be creative this Christmas season as you look for ways to include these timeless gifts in your gift giving. People will not necessarily see Jesus in the beautiful wrapping you use or the lavishness of your present. However, He will become visible as you express unity with them, humility for them, and spend yourself in their interests. Who knows – you may start a new Christmas tradition and change your or another’s life for the better. Merry Christmas! Pastor Kelley & Jodi, Lacey, Lance, Reece, Grant, Brett, Brady, and Trent
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