It's ADVENT, a time of anticipation,
looking back and remembering Jesus' presentation in Bethlehem,
looking forward to Jesus' next presentation
when every eye will see Him...
not just those who were in town to pay their taxes,
not just those on the hillside busy with their sheep,
not just the magi who traveled from a distance.
On that first Christmas, God gave the Gift, Jesus, to mankind,
in a very humble way.
Ordinary people doing ordinary things were interrupted
by an unexpected opportunity to see and become involved
in what was happening around them.
It was a time of offering a stable, the only space available for lodging that night,
a time of hearing and searching out the truth relayed by an angelic choir,
a time of sharing with those around the good news,
the coming of the Messiah!
For many years in our culture, focus has been on gifts ~ giving and receiving.
Children are taught to expect gifts and encouraged to tell what they want.
“Want” and “need” have been used interchangeably and we have become confused.
We have found ourselves feeling deprived when our wants have not been met.
Perhaps this year will put things in a better perspective.
What we have taken for granted is no longer “there.”
We are better able to distinguish between “want” and “need.”
We are evaluating our priorities, practicing self-control,
and learning how to give the gifts that mean the most ~
the presents of PRESENCE:
time to work alongside another, teaching a practical skill,
time to listen to someone's concerns,
time to recall memories of treasured experiences shared,
time to sit with someone in their grief,
time to share a meal with a hungry family,
time to tell others about the most precious Gift of all, Jesus,
His birth, life, death and resurrection,
providing us with forgiveness for our sin.
It was a costly gift but one He bought and God considered His blood payment in full.
Our only part is humble acceptance of that gift.
We have nothing of value to return to Him except our grateful service,
our presence with Him in study and worship
and His extended presence in the world through us.
With wealth comes the tendency to overlook the gifts of presence.
They come wrapped in time instead of pretty packages with bows.
Twila Charles Leichty
December 11, 2008
looking back and remembering Jesus' presentation in Bethlehem,
looking forward to Jesus' next presentation
when every eye will see Him...
not just those who were in town to pay their taxes,
not just those on the hillside busy with their sheep,
not just the magi who traveled from a distance.
On that first Christmas, God gave the Gift, Jesus, to mankind,
in a very humble way.
Ordinary people doing ordinary things were interrupted
by an unexpected opportunity to see and become involved
in what was happening around them.
It was a time of offering a stable, the only space available for lodging that night,
a time of hearing and searching out the truth relayed by an angelic choir,
a time of sharing with those around the good news,
the coming of the Messiah!
For many years in our culture, focus has been on gifts ~ giving and receiving.
Children are taught to expect gifts and encouraged to tell what they want.
“Want” and “need” have been used interchangeably and we have become confused.
We have found ourselves feeling deprived when our wants have not been met.
Perhaps this year will put things in a better perspective.
What we have taken for granted is no longer “there.”
We are better able to distinguish between “want” and “need.”
We are evaluating our priorities, practicing self-control,
and learning how to give the gifts that mean the most ~
the presents of PRESENCE:
time to work alongside another, teaching a practical skill,
time to listen to someone's concerns,
time to recall memories of treasured experiences shared,
time to sit with someone in their grief,
time to share a meal with a hungry family,
time to tell others about the most precious Gift of all, Jesus,
His birth, life, death and resurrection,
providing us with forgiveness for our sin.
It was a costly gift but one He bought and God considered His blood payment in full.
Our only part is humble acceptance of that gift.
We have nothing of value to return to Him except our grateful service,
our presence with Him in study and worship
and His extended presence in the world through us.
With wealth comes the tendency to overlook the gifts of presence.
They come wrapped in time instead of pretty packages with bows.
Twila Charles Leichty
December 11, 2008
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