Merry Christmas!

     The end of the Mayan calendar (a/k/a the end of the world) coincided a little close to Christmas.  As we sat at home, Doom's Day Eve, discussing the matter, my husband asked me, "Is that why you brought home [take out] for supper?"  "Of course.  I'm not spending my last day on earth cooking."
     Then my youngest has the bright idea that "since we won't be here on Christmas, we should open all our gifts now!"  I try to explain to him that it wouldn't matter if he did open his gifts early, he wouldn't get to take them with him when the world ends [tomorrow].  "Yeah, but I can play with them tonight...while I'm here."   hahaha.
     Well, the world didn't end, and the closer it got to Christmas and "the reason for the season," a deeper meaning in my son's statement came to me. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life." John 3:16

 

God has given us a gift, His son Jesus Christ.  We have accepted that gift and it sits under our tree.  But we choose not to open it until the appointed time.  We spend our days looking at the beautiful wrapping, excited that it's all ours, wondering what's on the inside, anticipating the day when we get to Heaven and can unwrap it.  Then we will see all the love and joy and peace...all the things God promised us brought to life.

 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and

cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning."   James 1:17

 

     But, what if we were impatient?  What if we didn't wait to open the gift?  What if we got so excited we just had to have it now?!  Well...we can!  In fact, God wants us to open our gifts as soon as we get them.  We can unwrap them all and have love, joy and peace while we're here!  And He wants us to use them immediately.  Not set them up on a shelf out of harm's way, just collecting dust, never doing what they were intended to do - be shared with our friends and family. 

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."  Luke 6:38

 

The more we share, the more "toys" we get!  We don't have to wait till we get to Heaven!  Amazing!

     Plus - these things you can actually take with you when you go!