Last Weekend Before Christmas

Lets all take a moment and remember the true story of Christmas and what this time of year is all about. God is love and has his children we are to share his love with others and one way to share love is by giving. And your giving doesn't have to be part of the big mess we see every year with Black Friday and all the running around looking for the best gifts. I think the best gifts come from the heart, like one you make or one that has meaning. I can remember the year when my sister was very young and the year before my father died (My dad died when I was 14 and my sister was 9, he died on Dec. 22nd and we buried him on Christmas eve) my sister and I was given $20 dollars each to do shopping for the family, so we had to buy four gifts, one for mom, dad, grandmother and a gift for the other sibling. I think my sister was 8 and I was 13 and my sister bought my dad a pen, just a black ball point pen but she wrapped it herself and when he was opening it she told him it was full of love. He loved that pen and carried it everyday and even had it in his pocket the day he died. When a gift is from the heart and is received with love in your heart it will become a gift to remember. So as Christmas draws closer keep in mind that you can spend every penny you have and give the most gifts of anyone you know and still not find to joy that a $2 ball point pen can bring.

Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.