It is a beautiful and awesome thing to look into the eyes of a child at Christmas when they receive a gift and find, to their delight, something that they have desired. Christmas morning is a time of great joy in the hearts of families. One tradition we have in our family is the opening of our stockings on Christmas Eve. Laughter, smiles, anticipation, and excitement shines in the eyes and conversation of my children as we see what unique trinkets, candy, and thoughtfulness went into each stocking. Then, on Christmas morning, we wake up early to exchange gifts with each other always finding that what we receive is such a great blessing, but the real joy is in watching other’s get excited about what we have given.
“The greatest gift you will ever receive will never be found under a Christmas tree. It is far too valuable to be stored in any other place than in the depths of your heart” (Anonymous). This Christmas, remember the real gift exchange that has occurred. God has exchanged our brokenness for His healing in our lives. God gave his only begotten Son to come into this world where we are held captive to sin, hurt, and bondage. He overcame the world by giving himself as the perfect sacrifice. In Christ, and Christ alone, we find healing and deliverance, we receive salvation and eternal life.
Many enter into this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus with grief, anxiety, depression, or loneliness yet with a desire for the gift of peace and joy. This season, let’s celebrate the real gift exchange that impacts our lives. We exchange our brokenness for the Fruit of God’s spirit. Consider these gifts from God: Exchange your ... Loneliness for the gift of God’s Love Hopelessness for the gift of God’s Joy Anxiety and Fears for the gift of God’s Peace Frustrations for the gift of God’s Long-Suffering Past Abuse for the gift of God’s Gentleness Selfishness for the gift of God’s Goodness Doubt and Unbelief for the gift of God’s Faithfulness Aggression for the gift of God’s Meekness Impulsivity for the gift of God’s Temperance The focus here is not on our failures, hurts, or brokenness, but on God’s healing. God’s will toward His children is that we would walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4), coming together in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Here at Cord of 3, we thank God for the blessing of being a part of His work of reconciliation in the lives of His children as we give counsel to the emotional and spiritual pains of life and remind families of how they can exchange their brokenness for the gift of God’s healing. Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks be to God for his gift to us: Jesus Christ. |
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