“Regifting the Spirit of Christmas - HOPE”
Galatians 4:4-7
The Christmas Season has begun and is in full swing. The sights, sounds and tastes of the season are all around us and we are anticipating the celebrations yet to come.
Taking a few moments to reflect on my childhood, I remember what would typically happen at this time early December; we would receive the latest SEARS toy catalogue. That book was amazing! The pages were full of toys, sports equipment and gadgets that helped escort me into daydreams of seeing me unwrapping some of them on Christmas morning. One year I wanted a Hot Wheels set. Another year it was all about "walkie-talkies". Some years it was a new ball glove or football. I was convinced that these toys would bring an abundance of joy for me, and my friends and my HOPE was that my parents were hearing my suggestions.
As I got older my desire for toys turned to other things; cash and electronic gadgets seemed to be high on my list. Clothes, however, were not, although I seemed to get an abundance of them during my teenage years!
Q: Thinking back to your childhood, what were some of the things that you hoped you would receive on Christmas Day?
During a recent conversation with someone, we talked about getting Christmas gifts for our kids. She shared with me that her family had an annual gift tradition that went something like this:
“Each year we get our kids four things; something they want, something they need, something to eat and something to read.”
I didn’t realize it at the time, but now as I reflect on this idea, I think it makes a lot of sense. We didn’t have criteria like this when I was younger, and I wonder what would have been on my list if this were part of our tradition.
Take a moment and read Galatians 4:4-7.
Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT) says, "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s child. And since you are his child, God has made you, his heir."
Reflecting on the Christmas Story I think our Heavenly Father might have used a similar concept when he sent his Son, Jesus, to earth. Consider this:
Something WANTED: Throughout history, there was great oppression and struggle for God’s chosen people. They wandered. They starved. They built. They fought. They pleaded. They were slaves to a world that seemed to look upon their existence in disgust and disdain. And yet, through all of this, they wanted and HOPED for relief, deliverance and maybe even vindication from THE Messiah.
Something NEEDED: Jesus’ arrival came at a time that signified the end of a dark period. After several hundred years of silence from God to his people, Jesus came to present a new way. He came to fulfil the proclamations of the prophets and bring the message of HOPE to the oppressed, first to the Jews and then the gentiles. They needed an example to show them the way.
Something to EAT: Throughout the Old Testament we see God continually caring for his children. He provided manna in the desert. He filled the cupboards of the faithful widow. He sent birds with food for an outcast prophet. Later, near the end of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus shared supper with his disciples with the symbolism to show the value of eating and drinking of his goodness and encouraged them to continue in this manner. There’s just something supernatural about God providing food for His children as a gesture of his love, care, and provision. For that, we are thankful every time we eat.
Something to READ: While the people before Christ relied on the members of the tribe of Levi to appropriately dispense the holy scriptures to the people, we now have that and more! God’s love for us inspired others to journal and record their thoughts and experiences which we now read as the New Testament gospels and other writings.
Q: If you were to build a Christmas gift list for yourself using these four criteria, what would be on your list?
God gave us a gift worth sharing!
Some people might WANT your time. Others might NEED your compassion. Who might enjoy EATing a meal with you? And someone might be blessed by READing an email of encouragement this season.
Q: What are some unique ways you will regift God's message of HOPE to those around you this Christmas?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending us the most perfect gift, your son Jesus, at just the right time. As I enter this Christmas season, please open my eyes, and show me where I can regift your message of HOPE to those around me. May my spirit overflow with your love and goodness so I can share generously with others. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
