Bring Your Gifts To The Stable -- part 1
Mothers of Nations, as we approach this coming Christmas, let’s take some time to consider what Christmas is truly about to us as Jesus followers. One tradition of this season is gift giving and probably most of us are already thinking about (or purchasing) gifts for those that we love and appreciate.
But have you considered what gifts we could bring to Jesus? What gifts could we offer to the One who came to save us and bring us eternal life? Today and next week let’s discuss five specific gifts that each of us could give throughout this Christmas season.
The Gift of Gratitude
The word gratitude is most simply defined as the state of being grateful and giving without recompense or return. One wonderful example of gratefulness is exhibited from the life of Bible character Ruth.
Ruth 2: 10-13 (NLT) -- 10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” 11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” 13 “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”
Here we read that Ruth was grateful because Boaz had comforted her and spoken kindly to her. Also, we see that Boaz was grateful in his acknowledgement that Ruth had been so good to her mother-in-law.
These verses from the Psalms remind us of the importance of being grateful.
Psalm 92: 1-2 -- It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. 2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.
Psalm 136 is a hymn of gratitude. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”
Mothers of Nations, this Christmas season let’s take time to think of all the things for which we are grateful. And then let’s thank Him for truly He is good!
The Gift of Laughter (Joy)
Laughter can simply be defined as the art of merriment. Laughter has a sound and is often accompanied by noise and even smiles! This Christmas why don’t we think about all the times we have experienced laughter and joy this past year. Focusing on specifics is powerful, healing, and even delivering.
What are some of the activities that were part of your spiritual walk this year that brought you joy and celebration?
- Maybe it was sharing the gospel with others – evangelism – that revealed the gift of laughter.
Luke 15: 6-10 --6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
- How about the joy you experienced in times of prayer? Did those joyful moments evoke the gift of laughter in your life? Please take time to meditate on some of the results you have seen through prayer where lives were changed and comfort was brought to families.
- The laughter and joy that accompany simple little things is certainly a gift, isn’t it? Our children and grandchildren bring times of fun and celebration which we can certainly appreciate and enjoy. Mothers of Nations, this is a gift.
- There is always a joy in studying God’s Word. The strength and comfort that comes from spending time in the Scriptures is truly a blessing and a joy, truly a gift!
Nehemiah 8: 10 (NLT) -- 10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Mothers of Nations, may each of us choose to let the joy of the Lord be our strength this coming year! May the gifts of gratitude, laughter / joy overflow in our lives as Jesus followers. Next week we will discuss three more gifts that we can bring to His Stable.
Blessings,
Dr. Sharon Predovich
