And Presents Under the Tree...

OK here we are 4 days removed from Christmas. Has your house recovered? We still have a toy pile near the tree. The boxes are gone and the wrapping paper is picked up but some of the gifts linger.

If you have not fully picked up yet or if you catch the kids playing with their favorite gift, you can get them to think a bit more about the real reason for the season.

Ask the family, Why do we celebrate Christmas? "To remember Jesus' birth," comes the reply.

Why do we give gifts to each other? Hmmmm.. that a thought provoking question. Do we give gifts because the wise men brought Jesus gifts? Do we give gifts to show our love for each other? Good intentions but not the heart of the matter.

We should give gifts because God gave us, on that first Christmas, the greatest gift of all - Jesus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Don't forget, the greatest gift ever given was wrapped in cloths not paper and ribbons. Remind your family that love is not demonstrated in things but in love. And love is demonstrated when Jesus died for us.

Construction

Is this a familiar sign in your city? It is in Las Vegas. It seem like no city is ever complete. The next time you're stuck in construction traffic remind your family of Paul's familiar verse:

Phil. 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus

Just as the city is not done with these roads, God is not done with us either. Are there places in your life where you would see construction cones? Perhaps there's more anger than patience. Or maybe there's more criticizing than encouraging.

Let that construction site remind you that "I am a work in progress". Thank God today that He is not done with you yet and praise Him that a day is coming when we will be perfected.