Susanne Scheppmann
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11 (NKJ)
My extended family no longer buys presents for each individual person. At our large family gathering, we have a "white elephant" gift exchange. Instead of a separate gift for each person, we just bring one present each, usually something from around our house that is no longer wanted or needed. Many times a white elephant gift turns out to be a re-gift. The idea of re-gifting appeals to me, especially when sanctioned by the family!
This year I have pondered how to re-gift the joy found in the Christmas story that Jesus gives - "a great joy which will be to all people." I believe the best way is to display our joy in all circumstances, good and bad. We may not enjoy the situations we find ourselves in, but we can have joy. Our joy can issue forth from the fact that Jesus came to earth as an infant, ministered, died on the cross and resurrected from the grave. He did this as a gift for all of us.
Will you decide with me to re-gift the promise of Christmas joy when days become stressful because of holiday schedules? Let's give joy when we can't purchase the "perfect" gift because of budget restraints. Let's share Jesus' joy and offer to help our neighbors, our churches, and our communities.
The wonderful thing about re-gifting the joy of the season is that you still get to keep your joy! Let the world know the truth about Christmas. It's not about the Christmas tree, the food, the festivities or the gifts - it's about Jesus being born as the world's Savior. It's about what the angels declared over 2000 years ago, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11, NKJ).
It's a gift we should give year round to everyone in this stress-filled world, because, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV).
Will you re-gift the joy found in the true meaning of Christmas both now and throughout this coming year?
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of joy this Christmas season. Teach me to re-gift this joy to the people who You bring across my path. Also, remind me to re-gift Your joy every day, not only at the Christmas season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know This Joy?
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen
Read about sharing Jesus’ joy with The Blessing of Christmas in our Everyday Life encouragement
Application Steps:
Leave the Christmas nativity set in a prominent place in your home all year. Doubtless, people will mention it. Share the meaning of Christmas, Jesus the Savior of the World.
Reflections:
Do I display the joy of Jesus?
Why do I hesitate to share my faith in Jesus?
How can I "re-gift" Christmas each day?
Power Verses:
Philemon 1:6, "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (NIV)
Isaiah 49:13, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:8, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11 (NKJ)
My extended family no longer buys presents for each individual person. At our large family gathering, we have a "white elephant" gift exchange. Instead of a separate gift for each person, we just bring one present each, usually something from around our house that is no longer wanted or needed. Many times a white elephant gift turns out to be a re-gift. The idea of re-gifting appeals to me, especially when sanctioned by the family!
This year I have pondered how to re-gift the joy found in the Christmas story that Jesus gives - "a great joy which will be to all people." I believe the best way is to display our joy in all circumstances, good and bad. We may not enjoy the situations we find ourselves in, but we can have joy. Our joy can issue forth from the fact that Jesus came to earth as an infant, ministered, died on the cross and resurrected from the grave. He did this as a gift for all of us.
Will you decide with me to re-gift the promise of Christmas joy when days become stressful because of holiday schedules? Let's give joy when we can't purchase the "perfect" gift because of budget restraints. Let's share Jesus' joy and offer to help our neighbors, our churches, and our communities.
The wonderful thing about re-gifting the joy of the season is that you still get to keep your joy! Let the world know the truth about Christmas. It's not about the Christmas tree, the food, the festivities or the gifts - it's about Jesus being born as the world's Savior. It's about what the angels declared over 2000 years ago, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11, NKJ).
It's a gift we should give year round to everyone in this stress-filled world, because, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV).
Will you re-gift the joy found in the true meaning of Christmas both now and throughout this coming year?
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of joy this Christmas season. Teach me to re-gift this joy to the people who You bring across my path. Also, remind me to re-gift Your joy every day, not only at the Christmas season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know This Joy?
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen
Read about sharing Jesus’ joy with The Blessing of Christmas in our Everyday Life encouragement
Application Steps:
Leave the Christmas nativity set in a prominent place in your home all year. Doubtless, people will mention it. Share the meaning of Christmas, Jesus the Savior of the World.
Reflections:
Do I display the joy of Jesus?
Why do I hesitate to share my faith in Jesus?
How can I "re-gift" Christmas each day?
Power Verses:
Philemon 1:6, "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (NIV)
Isaiah 49:13, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:8, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Labels: Friendships, Holidays, Homemaking, Marriage, Parenting, Spiritual Growth, Time with God
3 Comments:
I've found this so true to heart, many have really taken it out of portion (Ture Meaning of Christmas") our Lord & savior who gave his life for us, so that we may have enternal life in those who believe. Let's teach our children the greates gift of all, Love for one another. Thank you so much for reminding me the "True Reason" of Christmas. Not how many gifts, just 1, our sins are forgiving if we ask for forgiveness from our Lord Jesus Christ......
Thanks for the reminder to re think Christmas. I pray i will be able to carry the true meaning of Christmas through all the new year to come,because i know helping others is the true and only way to lasting happiness. I recentley heard that if you were blessed in a lasting way you have a true obligation to share it with others...
God's speed and keep up the goog work!
ksn
Dear God,
Thank you for the joy of Christmas. For all it is going to bring to our family this year. For the opportunity to go home and see our family, for my husband coming home. I pray that you be with us as we travel keep us safe. Help us to remember that not ever family is experiencing what we are and to be sensitive to the needs we see around us at this time. Bless our family and look on us with favor. I don't want to tread in the path that expects impending doom. That if things seem too good to be true they are and around the bend is the hammer. Help me to live each day to the fullest and to not look on what I think might be coming to guess at possibilities but to live in the assurance of what we have right now. God I kmnwo that you will carry me and our family through whatever is on our road. Give my mind peace and allow me to enjoy this season with my family celebrating your birth and the bonds you have created and given to me. Forgive me for my attitude today with the children, I was up and down, and I know that at times I was honoring of your heart and at others not. FOrgive me and let tomoorow be a new day for different choices.
Amen
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