Simple Gifts
What is the best gift you could give this Christmas?
Church members in Essex, Maryland were despondent. They were virtually unable to dispense any holiday cheer, on Christmas Eve last year.
Samuel Booth, the pastor of the Tabernacle Church, had just been killed by someone who was in the process of receiving food and shelter from the generous shepherd. One of his flock believed that Booth “would want us to forgive this man, he really would. And we have to. But it’s very hard.”
The reason Jesus was born in a manger is lost in the tinsel of this holiday’s celebration. From his very lips came these words: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matt. 6:14 niv). The converse is also true. If you don’t—He won’t! The Christ-child would grow up to set the example. As he was being crucified, the cruelest of deaths, he cried, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Christ came into this world to give forgiveness. When you fully realize the depth of his forgiveness toward you, it will be easy to forgive others.
Your optimum Christmas gift is—for “give” ness.
Church members in Essex, Maryland were despondent. They were virtually unable to dispense any holiday cheer, on Christmas Eve last year.
Samuel Booth, the pastor of the Tabernacle Church, had just been killed by someone who was in the process of receiving food and shelter from the generous shepherd. One of his flock believed that Booth “would want us to forgive this man, he really would. And we have to. But it’s very hard.”
The reason Jesus was born in a manger is lost in the tinsel of this holiday’s celebration. From his very lips came these words: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matt. 6:14 niv). The converse is also true. If you don’t—He won’t! The Christ-child would grow up to set the example. As he was being crucified, the cruelest of deaths, he cried, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Christ came into this world to give forgiveness. When you fully realize the depth of his forgiveness toward you, it will be easy to forgive others.
Your optimum Christmas gift is—for “give” ness.