One of my favorite Christmas songs is the “Little Drummer Boy”. As the Little Drummer Boy is asked to go and see the new born Baby King, he realizes that he has no gift to present to Him, as the others have. The only thing he has is his tiny drum and an ability to play it. So what does he do, he does just that, he plays his drum for the baby King, Jesus. The song ends with Jesus smiling at the Little Drummer Boy because he gave Him all that he had, the gift of a drum solo.
As we draw nearer to the day that we celebrate the birth of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and we are asked to come to him to be witness to the birth that changed the course of history, what gift are you going to bring to Him? What do you possess that the most influential person ever to walk on the face of this earth could want? My gift suggestion to you is GODLINESS.
In our adult Sunday school class at The Church of Christ at Mountain View, we have been looking at the eight graces that help us to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ as mentioned in the book of 2 Peter 1:5-8. Godliness, or living a godly life, or a life pleasing to God, is one of those graces, or character traits necessary to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is in essence living, doing, serving, working with the attitude to please God and God alone.
What tends to happen, especially during the mad dash of shopping and holiday parties and get together’s in the month leading up to Christmas day, is that we focus our attention on ourselves, and what other people are going to think about what we bought for them. Will they like it? Will they use it? Will they wear it? What will they think of ME for buying it for them? Do I look good enough? Does the food taste good enough? You get the idea I’m sure, because these same questions have, will be, or are racing through you own mind. All the time doing these things so that we look good, and forgetting that the only reason we are doing these things is because of the birth of the one person we are not thinking about, and certainly not thinking about what HE wants or needs.
And as our friends and family are opening their gifts on Christmas morning, and if by chance we see them open the gift that we bought for them, then the questions really start flying. Do you like it? Is it the right color, size, style? Do you know how much I paid for it? Please don’t hate me for buying that for you. I’ll take it back if you don’t like it. Again I ask, who’s birthday is it, and what did you give to HIM?
The King whose birth we celebrate wants YOU as His gift. He wants you to live a life that has a “God-ward” attitude. He wants us to do things that are pleasing to Him, not what is pleasing to man. We need to stop worrying ourselves over these little, petty things that drive us mad as we are shopping for the perfect gift. All of mankind has been given that perfect gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in manger, watched over by shepherds, guarded by angels, and worshipped by all of creation. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian Church, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
So how do we give a gift that can’t be bought? How do we show our godliness? There are three things that each of us can do in order to present to Christ the gift of our “living to please God.” These actions can be found in, 1 Timothy 4:12-16.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, take time to work out your gift for Him. Don’t allow Him to be the last one you give anything to, because you were always first on His mind.
Make time to be with family and friends, and don’t get stressed over what they may or may not think. It is not their party anyway. The party is not to celebrate them, it is to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Finally, enjoy the season of JOY, LOVE and PEACE. And be diligent to carry it with you all month long and into the next year.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:11-13
God's Blessings to you and your family. I’ll talk to you soon.
As we draw nearer to the day that we celebrate the birth of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and we are asked to come to him to be witness to the birth that changed the course of history, what gift are you going to bring to Him? What do you possess that the most influential person ever to walk on the face of this earth could want? My gift suggestion to you is GODLINESS.
In our adult Sunday school class at The Church of Christ at Mountain View, we have been looking at the eight graces that help us to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ as mentioned in the book of 2 Peter 1:5-8. Godliness, or living a godly life, or a life pleasing to God, is one of those graces, or character traits necessary to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is in essence living, doing, serving, working with the attitude to please God and God alone.
What tends to happen, especially during the mad dash of shopping and holiday parties and get together’s in the month leading up to Christmas day, is that we focus our attention on ourselves, and what other people are going to think about what we bought for them. Will they like it? Will they use it? Will they wear it? What will they think of ME for buying it for them? Do I look good enough? Does the food taste good enough? You get the idea I’m sure, because these same questions have, will be, or are racing through you own mind. All the time doing these things so that we look good, and forgetting that the only reason we are doing these things is because of the birth of the one person we are not thinking about, and certainly not thinking about what HE wants or needs.
And as our friends and family are opening their gifts on Christmas morning, and if by chance we see them open the gift that we bought for them, then the questions really start flying. Do you like it? Is it the right color, size, style? Do you know how much I paid for it? Please don’t hate me for buying that for you. I’ll take it back if you don’t like it. Again I ask, who’s birthday is it, and what did you give to HIM?
The King whose birth we celebrate wants YOU as His gift. He wants you to live a life that has a “God-ward” attitude. He wants us to do things that are pleasing to Him, not what is pleasing to man. We need to stop worrying ourselves over these little, petty things that drive us mad as we are shopping for the perfect gift. All of mankind has been given that perfect gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in manger, watched over by shepherds, guarded by angels, and worshipped by all of creation. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian Church, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
So how do we give a gift that can’t be bought? How do we show our godliness? There are three things that each of us can do in order to present to Christ the gift of our “living to please God.” These actions can be found in, 1 Timothy 4:12-16.
- Set a GOOD example for others.
- Give attention to reading your Bible, and being a DOER of the WORD.
- Make GOOD use of your ABILTIES and OPPORTUNITIES.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, take time to work out your gift for Him. Don’t allow Him to be the last one you give anything to, because you were always first on His mind.
Make time to be with family and friends, and don’t get stressed over what they may or may not think. It is not their party anyway. The party is not to celebrate them, it is to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Finally, enjoy the season of JOY, LOVE and PEACE. And be diligent to carry it with you all month long and into the next year.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:11-13
God's Blessings to you and your family. I’ll talk to you soon.
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