What do you want for Christmas this year? The answer to that question has changed (or at least should have changed) from year to year as we grow older. Our ideas of toys change as we mature. Instead of little girls asking for the latest dolls, they likely ask for jewelry, make-up, or clothes. The little boys who were thrilled with cars, footballs, or moto-cross bikes, now look forward to tools, recliners, or electronic gadgets.
I remember when I was nine years old, I got that electric Monday Night Football game. The one with plastic men on a plastic football field with a battery operated vibrator that caused the men to move all over the field. Last week, I asked for a weed-eater. Of course, I mentioned a few other things, too, but you get the idea.
Shifting gears to a more serious note though, what do you really want for Christmas this year? The complete flipside might cause us to beg for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. I overheard the complaints of a lady in a crowded line at McDonald's recently. I so much wanted to approach her, smile and say, "Merry Christmas!"
Realistically, in thinking about giving this year, could we seek to give more grace? What about kindness and gentleness? Could we spread the joy that comes from a relationship with Christ to those with whom we come in contact? Paul wrote to the Galatians that we should exemplify love, joy, peace, gentleness, etc. (see 5:22-23)
God's gift to mankind came in the form of a Baby. As a young man, Jesus willingly gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sin. He has set the example of giving. As we willingly give our lives to serve God, let's do it by giving the fruit of the Spirit to our fellow-man.
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