Another Christmas has arrived. Did you get the Gift I sent?
Most likely you are thinking ‘no’. I’ll confess, I am TERRIBLE at giving gifts, ask my wife!
If you are taking the time to read this, I probably have you on my list of people that I pray for regularly. It is a lengthy list.
Even if I was good at giving gifts, there is only one Christmas Gift that has any lasting value. It is the same Gift that I pray you receive when I pray for you.
It may not take pictures and send texts, but it does connect you into a network that is both vast and eternal.
It may not complement your figure, or impress your colleagues, but it will forever change the way you see yourself in a mirror, or in a crisis, or in triumph.
It may not save you time, energy and money. But it will make every minute, dollar and calorie you spend have significance beyond this time, beyond this place, beyond imagination.
It is the Gift that every follower of Christ celebrates receiving every year. The Christ-child reminds us that we are freed from the trappings of this world.
We celebrate that freedom by loving God, and by loving all of our neighbors (ie you). Not the cheap, superficial love we see on the big screen.
Instead, the Love that is an action verb, that says “I will seek and act in their best interests”.. the Love of Mother Theresa and billions of others. The Love that drives a parent.. er Santa Claus as he/they wrap presents for their children. The Love that does not have a price tag, or require a degree.
So I wish you a Merry Christmas! Not just because it is my celebration of the Gift that I received. My wish of “Merry Christmas” is unlike “Happy Holidays” and all of the other 47 holiday greetings you may receive this time of year.
When I say “Merry Christmas” my prayer is that you too discover – or rediscover – the one true, everlasting, priceless Christmas Gift.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16
Merry Christmas!
The Behrs – George, Sheryl, Paige & Kyle, Isaac, Jared
