On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11, NVI)

What gift would you like to give God this year?

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite TV Christmas specials was “The Little Drummer Boy.” This is the sad, yet tender story about a young orphan who joins the Maggi in their search for the newborn King of Israel.

The Star of Bethlehem leads the caravan’s way onto a humble manger, where they find Baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph.

The young orphan soon realizes that this is a very special baby and marvels at the rich gifts the Magi present to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh. The drummer boy wishes he had something to give as well, but he is poor and feels he has nothing to offer.

However, when Baby Jesus begins to cry, the little orphan does what comes naturally to him. With Mary’s consent he starts playing his drum. This sweet offering sooths the crying Baby and turns His tears into a smile.

Are there times when you feel like the boy in this story – poor and broken, with nothing good to give? Perhaps you compare your talents with those of people around you and feel yours come short.

And you wonder, “What good will my gifts do?” “What difference could they ever make?”

This Christmas Season I invite you to take a step of faith and bring your presents to the manger:

• Your service
• Your worship
• Your heart

No matter how lowly or simple your gift might seem, in God’s eyes it is a pleasing offering, one that will put a smile on the face of Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Ana
http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com

What makes you happy?

God, friends, family… Of course. But if you had to pick one thing in particular – something out of the ordinary; something you enjoy doing very much; something that fills your heart, sooths your mind, renews your strength – what would that be?

For me, it would be books.

In fact, one of my favorite places to hang out at is the public library, which I visit in between job assignments. (I work as an interpreter.) I usually bring my laptop, so I can surf the net, check e-mail or do some writing.

There are few things I enjoy more than sitting in a quiet place – surrounded by fellow book lovers and hundreds of wonderful stories – and losing myself in a good book or my own writing. There are no interruptions, no rush, no needs to be met, no dishes to wash, no laundry to fold. That’d it for me.

What’s it for you?

I was thinking about this the other day, while doing some Christmas shopping. Because there is one other thing I really enjoy: I love giving and receiving gifts. And the Season provides such marvelous opportunities for this!

As I shop, I picture Christmas morning. It is still dark. The evergreen tree stands erect on a corner of my living room floor, surrounded by gifts and tinsel that glow with twinkling lights. My children run to the tree, and with eyes wide with excitement and glee, they beg me and my husband, “Can we open our presents, please!”

What an amazing feeling. It is a feeling most parents cherish. Even God, our Heavenly Father, loves to give gifts to His children. James 1:17 says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. (NKJV)

Also, in Matthew 7:9-11 Jesus said, Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NKJV)

I find it interesting that Jesus brought the children’s wishes into the picture. This makes me think about an aspect of my giving I tend to overlook.

During Christmas, my desire is to surround my family with presents and to create beautiful memories for them. My husband and I carefully select and diligently hunt for the “perfect” gift, and we do take into consideration our children’s wishes, because we long to please them.

But do I ever think beyond the presents I put under our Christmas tree? Do I ever stop to wonder what my family really wants from me throughout the Season and not just on Christmas Morn?

What other gifts could I bless my family with? What would they say if I dared asking?

I think their answers would surprise me: Patience. Peace at home. A little more understanding. Affection. Less hustle, more spontaneity. A break. More of my time. My undivided attention.

How about you, dear friend? What would your family say if you ask them what is it they want from you this Christmas?

If you’re brave enough to ask, either them or yourself, would you share those answers with us by posting them as comments in the box below?

As for me, I think I’ll work on the “more patience” present. Truth is, that’s something I need to work on all year!

Growing together,

Ana
http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

This past weekend Brian taught about our gifting and serving in the church. I’d like to look at that a little more. A number of years ago when I did a study on Spiritual Gifts I was and still am in awe of the way God designed the church. His plan is for each one of us to play a part in the church by using our gifting, skills and abilities. I also learned He created us each different; not everyone is going to have a heart of compassion or have the patience to run the video during service or have the skills to play for worship. But no job in a church is unimportant in the building of God’s Kingdom. Brian mentioned this in his sermon when he talked about not ever wanting hear anyone say they just… volunteer or clean toys, etc. I so agree, all service within the church is so important! When God showed this to me I was running the slides that go on the video screens and I realized that if I goof up majorly it would really distract from people’s experience in Worship and take the focus of God.

I love Paul’s analogy with the parts of the body in I Corinthians 12:12-30. Like in I Corinthians 12:17 Paul writes, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” Can you picture it the whole body being one big eye or ear? Wow, that would be really scary. Just as scary as everyone trying to make free coffee at one time and no one greeting or everyone cleaning the bathrooms and no one working with the children.

When I first realized God gifted each one of us for a path of His choosing I was so relieved. I didn’t have to beat myself up because my Christian walk didn’t look like someone else’s. Don’t get me wrong there are a number of things all Christians are called to do or strive toward in ever increasing measure. But there are areas of gifting, service and passion that are unique as each one of us, and God will reveal this to us as we try out different areas of service and look for guidance from classes like the SHAPE class.

As you can see in my bio, I oversee the Women’s Conference each year, lead a Care Group, and help in the Finance Ministry. I’d love to hear how you serve in the church?

Thank you for serving,

Susan