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10th gift of Christmas

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MERCY – The 10 Christmas Gift 

Luke 15:10 …But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy!

Mercy may seem plain and ordinary, to the outside observer; but to the one who receives it Mercy is the most astonishingly beautiful thing on earth!

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Mercy Is –

A life-saving pint of blood from a stranger

A handful of tissues when our tears start to flow

A silent embrace when our world fell apart

The light at the door when we come home after dark

A kiss of acceptance from someone we’ve hurt

A check in the mail when we’ve been out of work

Angel songs in the night when we’re out in the field

And a Babe in the manger who’s the Savior of the world!

Seventh Christmas Gift

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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

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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