And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luk 2:10-11)
Christmas is around the corner. Throughout the Christian world, stores are lit and most are busy shopping for the season. Christmas is the time for giving. And little children wait with eager anticipation for their Christmas presents. Centuries ago, the angels gave us ‘the good tidings of great joy’. They “brought us” the good tidings; ‘unto you’ is born this day. “For God so loved”, He gave.
Giving has from time immemorial been the outward expression of love. It is not in the nature of the beast to give. Even as animals would feed their young, they are merely responding to a wired need to preserve their offspring and genetic signature. Observe how lions will dispose of all earlier cubs sired by the vanquished. To be enabled to love is a God-given gift. God is love. Humans are able to love because we have been “made in His image”.
Scripture prescribes that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. It goes without saying, that one is first truly blessed, before, one has the capacity to give; one cannot give what he has not first received. The bible commands giving in many forms. Giving is not limited to the material. We have been severally gifted, in order that the Church may be edified and made complete. Again we have been first gifted from above, that we may in turn give to the community of believers.
The LORD is good. The year of 2009 is fast approaching its end. The LORD has faithfully provided all our needs; beginning with the very basics. Distracted by our plenty, we bear less cognizant of His more significant gifts of grace, mercy and peace. Once again the tidings of “peace on earth, goodwill to man” rings in the halls and across the globe. Again, we remember, the giving and birthing of the Son. What gift have we prepared in response? Love is most clearly demonstrated, by giving. What gift have we contemplated for the Father? for the Son? And for the Holy Counselor?
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) (Exo 23:15)
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. (Deu 16:16-17)
These texts evoke an ancient requirement from days past that we may wish to re-examine. Again, would it not be wise, not to limit this “empty-handedness” to material items only? There is that reverberation reminding us, of justice and mercy even.
A blessed Christmas to all.
God bless.
/ckh
Christmas is around the corner. Throughout the Christian world, stores are lit and most are busy shopping for the season. Christmas is the time for giving. And little children wait with eager anticipation for their Christmas presents. Centuries ago, the angels gave us ‘the good tidings of great joy’. They “brought us” the good tidings; ‘unto you’ is born this day. “For God so loved”, He gave.
Giving has from time immemorial been the outward expression of love. It is not in the nature of the beast to give. Even as animals would feed their young, they are merely responding to a wired need to preserve their offspring and genetic signature. Observe how lions will dispose of all earlier cubs sired by the vanquished. To be enabled to love is a God-given gift. God is love. Humans are able to love because we have been “made in His image”.
Scripture prescribes that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. It goes without saying, that one is first truly blessed, before, one has the capacity to give; one cannot give what he has not first received. The bible commands giving in many forms. Giving is not limited to the material. We have been severally gifted, in order that the Church may be edified and made complete. Again we have been first gifted from above, that we may in turn give to the community of believers.
The LORD is good. The year of 2009 is fast approaching its end. The LORD has faithfully provided all our needs; beginning with the very basics. Distracted by our plenty, we bear less cognizant of His more significant gifts of grace, mercy and peace. Once again the tidings of “peace on earth, goodwill to man” rings in the halls and across the globe. Again, we remember, the giving and birthing of the Son. What gift have we prepared in response? Love is most clearly demonstrated, by giving. What gift have we contemplated for the Father? for the Son? And for the Holy Counselor?
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) (Exo 23:15)
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. (Deu 16:16-17)
These texts evoke an ancient requirement from days past that we may wish to re-examine. Again, would it not be wise, not to limit this “empty-handedness” to material items only? There is that reverberation reminding us, of justice and mercy even.
A blessed Christmas to all.
God bless.
/ckh
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