They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
(John 17:16-19)
Read: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:12-18, Luke 24:13-49, John 20:19 – 21:25
Relate: As a general rule, I pull out my Christmas music right after the first time I see snow. I won’t necessarily start listening to it on a regular basis but I will for a few days after that snow and then occasionally in November and pretty much daily in December. When I still hd a CD player I would stack my dozen or so Christmas CD’s right next to it so I can listen to it when the mood strikes me. These days instead I have a folder on my computer with all my Christmas music and I will soon be loading them back into my ITunes playlist. Putting a little Kenny G on as background while I sleep does make for some great dreams. John Lennon’s Happy Xmas pulls at me more than one way.
One good thing for the past few years is that all my siblings are grown up now but there are no nephews and nieces running around yet. I call that a good thing because I’m from a very large family and if I had to buy each one a decent enough present I could go broke. I have gone broke at the holidays before. With seven siblings plus parents plus whoever else I will be buying for that year… it gets expensive. If I am going to fit it all in, as soon as halloween has passed, I have got to get crackin.
React: Actually, the more I understand about Christmas, about giving, and about Christ, the harder the giving truly gets. It is not about presents. When Jesus came, He gave Himself. Now He expects me to do the same. His very life was a holy sacrifice for us so that we in turn could be holy sacrifice for others. Giving is not just something I save up for that the right presents might be opened a few weeks from now. Giving is something I need to invest my life into doing that others might have their eyes opened up to who Jesus truly is all year round. Giving isn’t just a winter event (or summer for those of you who live down under) that happens once a year. It is what I should be doing every day. It should be my primary occupation.
Respond:
THE RIVER WALK 
If I stop walking I’ll rust like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz!
Well presented. Christmas is much deeper than we make it as a culture. I am not against gifts or gift giving. I just think its a smaller part of Christmas than we tend to make it. I also think the idea of giving as worship is something we need to address more as a culture. May I reblog this?
Sure.
THanks!
Great video! Good words and thoughts. I love Advent and Christmas for the reasons you reinforced here. Thanks!
very good read – God bless!
I am SO glad I found this blog Beejai. It is wonderful and inspiring. Thank you!
Reblogged this on The African Trillionaire and commented:
And on the subject of Giving: Listen to “Anchor” by Hillsong, Glorious Ruins Album
Thank you for reminding me why all the holiday hoopla is leaving me cold. It is about so much more than giving stuff, it is about truly worshiping our Lord and Savior. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” [Romans 12:1] I don’t read anything there about this being limited to one day on the calendar.
As the mother of a large family, I can relate to going broke, financially and otherwise! A few years ago I started asking family members to donate to charities as ‘my’ gift. I enjoy Christmas much more now, knowing that wells are being dug, livestock is being purchased, bibles are being made available around the world, etc.
Thanks also for sharing the video!
Nicely said! I appreciate your thoughts, as I begin to reinvent myself this holiday season and New Year. I love the way Tony Robbins says this as well, about being in the right mindset–you just know when it is the right time to give, and you do it generously without wanting or expecting anything in return. That’s when it’s inspired giving. Not because we feel obligated.
Reblogged this on ChristianBlessings and commented:
The best recycled gift is Christ’s love. What do you give? How do you give?
Even though I’m not Christian , the idea of giving is universal in a way . Everyone who read or will read this will understand what you’re going for .
It is wonderful .
This is so true… I remember Christmas in my childhood, the world seemed a bit slower and less cluttered with the ubiquitous crave for luxury and the best possible presents (although it was only 20 ish years ago!) and even though as a child I didn’t fully understand the deeper meaning of this holiday, I remember how magical it felt only because it was so filled with love from my family. Everyone had time to spend time with each other, laugh, and simply enjoy themselves. Now… we do try to spend Christmas in a lovely atmosphere as a family, but outside it only feels like a business. I love Christmas songs, I love Christmas decorations around the town, so I clearly don’t mind them being everywhere… but it’s sad how pretty much all we see is aimed at luring people to buy the most extravagant gifts possible. And then a day after Christmas poof! The business is done for the year, all decorations disappear, the atmosphere is broken and forced to change into the New Year’s Eve mood, so that another business can be successful.