9th Gift of Christmas

Ninth Christmas Gift – Living Water

If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water John 4:10

I know of a hidden waterfall that is not far from the main road but it can only be glimpsed in the winter because of the dense forest all around. It flows like Niagara Falls in the spring, but even in the driest months it never stops.

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That is the picture which Jesus calls up when He talks about the gift of living water. Living water springs from a well that can never be run dry. It gives its refreshing pure water at every season of our lives. We will never come to its banks without finding the water that flows from the well of Bethlehem. Though we may think we already have everything we need, Jesus comes and urges us to ask for His gift. He is often more ready to give than we are prepared to receive. But if we will listen closely like the Samaritan woman, we will also know the joy that can make us leave our cookie cutter answers behind and go on our way with joy! Because God’s waterfall never changes but its water is fresh and new every moment!

Seventh Christmas Gift

Seventh Gift of Christmas – Grace 

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6

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If Jesus came as a barefoot child to your home would he be welcomed in? If He knocked at your door would He be considered a stranger? If He asked for your time would he be treated as an honored guest? If He was rejected by your neighbors would He be defended as a part of your family?

The good news of Immanuel (God with us) is that Jesus passes through our little world every day in all these hidden ways. If we want to know the riches of the gift of His grace, what better way than to give it away?

Christmas the Sixth Gift

Sixth Gift of Christmas – Joy

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children…Luke 10:21

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At His birth the shepherds rejoiced

At His touch the lepers rejoiced

At His sight the Blind man rejoiced

In His arms the children rejoiced

For his forgiveness the thief rejoiced

At the sound of His voice Mary rejoiced

For bread and fish on the fire the disciples rejoiced

At His return to Heaven His Father rejoiced

From birth to death, through every day and in every trial Jesus gave His life joyfully for us. What better thanks can we give Him but to joyfully give ourselves to others for Him?  Surely Jesus was not only the greatest giver but the greatest rejoicer in giving. Whatever small service we can find to do for someone today will be blessed when we give it with joy!

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver