This Christmas season, we will all do the same things we have always done. We will spend time shopping, decorating our homes, singing Christmas carols. We will even spend a ridiculous amount of time looking for parking spaces. But this year, I would encourage you to set aside some extra time and really think about what the birth of our savior means to you.

When I think of Christmas, I think of lots of things. First, I think of his birth and how He was delivered to this earth in the form of a defenseless baby. Jesus didn’t come to earth with a big flash or as some mighty, fearful presence. He could have. No, He came as a baby. To grow up in this corrupt world and experience it firsthand. Jesus came here the same way you and I did. He had a mother and a father. He came helpless and dependent on others. He did this in order to be like us, not apart from us.

Imagine the impact on the characters involved that evening. Mary, holding the baby that had been planted inside her by the Holy Spirit, wondering in awe what the future held for Him as well as her. And Joseph, who had encountered an angel who explained God’s plan for his wife as well as his “Son.” And the shepherds in the field who all of a sudden saw angels filling the sky declaring the birth. Or the wise men seeing an unusual, star in the sky that pronounced the birth. All were changed forever, as are we when we recognize the true meaning of Christmas and give our lives to the one who’s birth we are celebrating.

I also think of how difficult His life was. Can you imagine all that He went through? First of all, He gave up life in Heaven! A place without corruption or sin. A place of nothing but love. And in return, he was given mankind. And although there were many who loved Him and worshiped Him, there were also a bunch of people who would doubt His every move. Make accusations against Him, hate Him, chase Him across the land, judge Him, beat Him and even nail Him to a cross and leave Him to die. He knew this since the very beginning of time! And yet, He chose to come here so that He could deliver us from our sin and open the doors to our Father in heaven. Quite simply, it’s breathtaking.

Jesus was born into this world to give us our freedom. Those who aren’t in the word might say just the opposite. They say that we live in a world of rules and judgments. I would say that we live in a world of hope! Jesus was born into a world of rules and judgments, but his life set us free from all of that. He was given to us as a sacrifice so that we could live a life of freedom. Our faith and dedication and love of Him guarantees us an eternal life.

Of Gardens

The earth is the garden of nature, and each fruitful country a paradise. The Turks, who pass their days in gardens here, will have gardens also hereafter, and delighting in flowers on earth, must have lilies and roses in heaven. The delightful world comes after death, and paradise succeeds the grave. The verdant state of things is the symbol of the resurrection; and to flourish in the state of glory, we must first be sown in corruption.

Sir Thomas Browne, 1646

Well, we most certainly live in a world of corruption. One day, however, we will be able to delight in the flowers in heaven!

"God doesn't love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us." -Fulton J. Sheen

Father,

Thank you for the value you have placed upon me simply by giving me your unconditional love. When I think about the life I have lived up until this moment, I am amazed at how you have loved me even at times when I have done nothing to deserve it. As a father myself, I can't imagine my children doing anything that would cause me to stop loving them. So your love is something I can relate to, but I want to thank you anyways.

Lord, as I begin this work week, I simply ask that you continue to provide me with strength and direction. Please continue to open the doors of opportunity and close the doors of distraction. I hope that I can continue to run my business in a manner that pleases you and can also help me to provide for my family. I know that all my provisions are through you and I thank you for each and every one.

Amen

Dear Father,

Today, I want to thank you for your provision. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about evrything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience Gods peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

As I continue to pray for the different activities and decisions in my life, you have taken the burden of those worries off my shoulders. Lord, I simply want to thank you for that. Before I became a Christian, I never realized how refreshing it is to not worry about difficult times and circumstances. I know that all good things come from you and all the worry in the world won't make you change your mind. However, giving up my concerns and placing them at your feet allows you to make decisions for me. Your decisisons are always the right ones and they have never left me feeling short-handed. You have shown me time and time again how you will provide for me and my family. Your provisions are always adequate and never disappointing. In fact Lord, you have given me everything. Today I simply want to thank you for that.

Amen

Dear Father,

Thank you so much for all the blessings you have given to me. I know that I haven't received them because I earned them. In fact, there is no way I could ever earn the kind of love I have been given by my wife and children. I know that the only reason I have such wonderful blessings is because you gave them to me because you love me so much. As much as I love my own family, it is only a small fraction of the love you have for me. Thats what makes your love so special. So, thank you so much.

Amen