Receiving Gifts John 3:16

In my book, this year has rolled around quite quickly and we are now on the final countdown to Christmas. The shopping is finished, the cookies are baked, the trees and house are decorated, we are ready for Christmas! I truly find so much joy in this holiday-so it's very easy for me to get caught up in the material side of Christmas. I enjoy shopping and buying gifts for family, friends and loved ones. I enjoy giving gifts and donating food for can drives and clothes for shelters. However, even though a lot of what I do during the Christmas season is focused on giving gifts, when I really think about the real meaning of Christmas, I see that I'm missing the point. I'm not saying that I shouldn't be doing these things...it's great to give and to receive.

Let me elaborate...Picture yourself, traveling far, many miles to see someone you loved. It could be a family member, spouse, child, grandparent (set the story up for yourself). You purchased expensive airfare, even paid extra for baggage, because you, YOU, were bringing the most precious gift to them. After days of travel and exhaustion, you pushed on and finally you arrive! When you arrive at your destination, no one is there waiting for you, so you catch a taxi, and continue on, so excited to see your loved one and share with them this most valuable thing. When you arrive to their house, no one is waiting for you, you knock several times and finally someone opens the door. They are on the phone, busy getting ready to leave. They briefly wave Hi and carry on about their business. Feeling a bit confused and anxious you open the suitcase, hoping that this will draw some attention to you, for you traveled far, you paid a high price to make this trip, to deliver this gift, yet...it's beginning to seem you are unappreciated. As you bring out the gift in the most awesome of wrappings and bows. You give it to your loved one and they casually rip off the beautiful paper, open the box and say "That's nice, you shouldn't have", and placed it in the closet-only to be forgotten about. Aside from the fact that you paid a high price to bring this gift, another reason for your travel and sacrifice is to spend time with your loved one. Yet, they seem to be inconvenienced by your presence. Let us not forget that not only did God send his son to save us, He also desires for us to make to make time for Him. Let's not be like the uninterested family member in this story and discard God's gift of Salvation. We need to remember that a huge price was paid for our sins and with that we need to set time aside from our busy schedules to meet with God, show appreciation through scripture, service and worship.

As we countdown the days to Christmas, I want to take time to thank God for sending His son and show appreciation for the gift He sent. I hope too that you find time to joyously make room in your life for this relationship-not only at Christmas, but throughout the year!

Make Yourself Like a Shepherd Luke 2:15-20

Yesterday I read through the first two chapters of Luke, which is the most beautiful rendition of God's faithfulness in His promises and salvation. Clips of these verses have been stirring through my mind throughout the day which leads me to this little story.

Scott and I have 3 daughters ages 3, 5, and 8. To say they are anticipating Christmas is putting it lightly. We've had our Christmas tree up since the beginning of December and we have been receiving boxes in the mail from family across the miles. When these packages arrive the girls unpack them, jump on the bubble wrap, and begin placing the presents under the tree. Of course, being a 3, 5 or 8 year old at Christmas doesn't come with much resistance to picking up the packages, checking the tags, shaking them, squeezing them etc. Last night the girls decided to organize the presents into stacks by name. They had them into the middle of the living room floor and I said to them "wow, you are all really excited about Christmas." My 8 year old, Hailey, exclaimed, "Mom, the whole world is excited about Christmas!"

I thought to myself that Hailey would have been a wonderful shepherd-pure, genuine excitement that couldn't be restrained. Luke 2:20 states the shepherds returned glorifying God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Now I know that Hailey was mostly referring to the excitement and anticipation of opening the presents, but you see God gave us a present that night--and we are to come to God like children Matthew 18:3.

For some reason showing pure, uncontrollable excitement is difficult for adults but as you watch children get giddy with anticipation this season, try to remember how the shepherds began spreading the news of the Savior's birth with the same awe and excitement of a child at Christmas! When you focus on what the word "glorifying" really looks like, in my mind it's pure worship; quiet, loud, exuberant, giddy, laughing, tears, amazement, stillness...try to capture some of that when you meet with God this week and as you share with friends and neighbors about Him! It might feel uncomfortable at first, but for certain, it's contagious!

I leave you today with this version of Joy to the World by Fee All Creation Sing



Peace and Joy to you! Tanya

Focusing on Luke this week

Even though it isn't the New Year yet and we haven't started our scheduled Bible reading, I'm getting myself into the habit of spending more time in the Word every day. Since Christmas is fast approaching I decided to read in Luke today, the Christmas story. I opened the Bible and started reading Luke 1-2-it's really quite a fast excerpt when you consider all that happened in those 2 chapters. Amazing, how every time I read that passage, or hear it read, something always stands out to me. I thought about Mary, and how overwhelming and scary it must have been. Being told that you will bear the Son of God! I mean really break that down into how you would actually feel. If you read Luke 1:26-38 and focus on what is actually happening and how scary that situation must have been for Mary, it couldn't have been easy for her, thinking of what was ahead. Yet, she trusted God 100%, her faith never wavered she continued to worship and serve God . My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior Luke 1:46-47

Even when we face fear and uncertainty, we need to continue to praise, worship and serve Him. I hope you take some time this week to maybe read these excerpts from Luke. I will most likely read them again before Christmas. I find them to be uplifting and comforting-welcoming that feeling of Peace that we all long for at Christmas.

If you have a moment, watch and listen to this slide show. How blessed we are!


Peace to you, Tanya

Welcome!

Welcome to Morning Hour Chapel's blog. This blog is going to mainly focus on our program, "A Journey in the Word". Starting January 1, 2010, Morning Hour Chapel is going to encourage and challenge our congregation to read through the Bible in a year. Here we will discuss and share ideas and thoughts on our Journey in the Word. I, myself, can't wait! I know it's going to stretch me, grow me and disciple me as a Christian. I am super excited about starting--growing closer to God through His Word is important and it's time for me to dig in a little deeper! Keep checking back as we get ready to launch this program.