‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

My word for 2020 was “Refine,” which took on different meanings throughout the year, as reflected in various scriptures. I want you to imagine a beautiful box with a special gift inside. Now I want you to imagine God presenting this beautiful box as His special gift to you. Can you feel the anticipation begin to rise? Before you open the box, I want you to imagine how this gift was handpicked, specifically for you. Now I want you to think about your reaction. Keep in mind, God already knows how you will respond to this special gift. Do you think you will have a receiving heart or a rejecting heart?

As we read in today’s key verse, God gives each of us gifts to steward for His glory. How are you receiving and stewarding your gifts?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for giving me special gifts, handpicked for me. I desire to use my gifts joyfully for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Bonus: How is your Christmas Bucket List going? 

Take time today to meditate on this weeks’ scripture verses.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬ — and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Acts‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — ‭Then I remembered what the Lord had said: “‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’”

@biblegateway @youversion

God has given us the best gift we could ever receive through His son Christ Jesus. Take a moment to worship with God’s Gift To Us by Natalie Grant.

Take time today to pray for all the Soldiers that have served or are currently serving. As we are reminded of their selfless gift of service, take time to enjoy the song, A Soldiers Gift by Josh Turner.

Today I am savoring the opportunities I have had to give Christmas away this week. As I have shared the idea of giving Christmas away, I have noticed how easy it is to share Christmas with others if we just keep our eyes and ears open for opportunities. 

My daughter used her money to buy some toys to donate to Toys For Tots. Click here to read more about this opportunity to give Christmas away. She has inspired me to do the same.

One of you shared with us her experience of a lady handing her a pair of socks in a store parking lot and wishing her a merry Christmas. One of our administrators gave each employee a cute pair of socks this week. While doing some research I ran across this article titled 12 Socks That Give Back and Donate To Charity. What a unique way to give Christmas away.

As for me, I have had opportunities this past week to invite others to experience the love of Christmas with me. On Sunday, my mother in law joined us for family night at church. Thursday night we loaded up the car and enjoyed a Christmas display drive-thru at a local elementary school. I have also invited several friends and family to attend the Singing Christmas Tree at a local church that occurs this weekend. If you are near Georgetown, South Carolina and are interested in attending Click here to attend.

These are just a few of the ways we can give Christmas away. I shared other opportunities this week. I encourage you to pray about which opportunities God would have you seize and then give Christmas away. I pray you are able to savor the moments God blesses you with as you are blessing others.

Matthew 28:16-20 — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This week I have challenged you to give Christmas away this year. In reality, Jesus charged us with giving away the true meaning of Christmas in the Great Commission. In every season, we are to make disciples through our words and actions. Spend some time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in ways you can intentionally spread the Good News. Take a moment to read the article 5 Fresh Ways To Spread the Gospel for some practical ways to share Christ with others. As we continue to move toward Christmas Day, let’s pause, seek, and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide each of us to give Christmas away to others.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for trusting me to spread Your love to others. Guide and direct my words and actions as I strive to give Christmas away to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

Luke 2:10-11 NIV — But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This year, let’s give Christmas away. Yesterday we pondered ways to give Christmas away to those in need. How can we spread Christmas to those around us? 

Throughout the Christmas season there are various programs, sponsored by churches, that share the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps there is a Christmas cantata, singing Christmas tree, or live nativity at your church or one nearby. Take advantage of these opportunities to refocus on the true meaning of the season. Give Christmas away by inviting others to go with you and share Christmas joy with them. By sharing Christmas with others, you will also increase your joy. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the true meaning of Christmas. Guide me as I invite others to join me in refocusing our attention this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

Matthew 25:35 NIV — For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

This year, let’s give Christmas away. Jesus commands us to feed the hungry. One way to share Christmas with others is to give to those who are hungry. You could give money or food to a food pantry. Perhaps you have time to volunteer at a soup kitchen. One year our Sunday school class pooled our money to purchase a goat for a family overseas through Samaritan’s Purse. Another idea is to make “blessing bags” to give away to the homeless or those in need. Read the article A Guide To Making Homeless Blessing Bags for ideas of what to include.

Whatever you are able to do, I encourage you to do it with the love of Christ in mind. Intentionally pray for those your hands are blessing. Pray for each one touched. Pray they will receive the true meaning of Christmas by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the true meaning of Christmas. Open my eyes to opportunities to share Christmas with others by giving. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

@samaritanspurse