Daily Stop & Thinks

Christmas Joy

Dear God, Though Christmas Day passed, the reason we celebrate Christmas continues every day. (Source unknown)

The prayer continues: “Your gift of love, grace, and mercy to us is never ending. Thank you that we count on that every day of our lives.” We may still be cleaning up after the holiday celebration, and the excitement of the holiday may be passed, but our gratitude should continue, and it should be evident in the joy we express continually.

All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. (Psalm 22:26)

The Day After

Three phrases that sum up Christmas: Peace on Earth, Good will to Men, and Batteries Not Included. (English proverb, from a Norman Rockwell calendar)

We may laugh at it, but if you don’t have the right batteries on Christmas morning, there may be a lot of disappointed children who can’t play with the toys they’ve waited so long for. And for others, who maybe are feeling a little down, it’s good to be reminded of those other common phrases. After all, the coming of Jesus at Christmas time is the reason for real joy.

The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 29:19)

Christmas

I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet / The word repeat / Of peace on earth, good-will to men! (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

In many parts of the western world, steeple bells will ring today. Though we are occupied with family get-togethers, sumptuous meals, and a lot of gift-giving, we must take time to celebrate what it’s all about. The Christ-child has been born, the one promised to redeem God’s people and whose sacrifice for us is the only means of God’s peace for those who believe.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. (John 3:16)

Christmas Eve

Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness . . .  (George F. McDougall, 19^th century seaman in the Royal Navy)

McDougall continues, “. . . a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” For one night and day, can we forget the hurts and offenses that we have suffered, and with an attitude moved by God’s love, move toward others with love and forgiveness? What a wonderful time to do so.

Love is patient and kind . . . is not jealous. . . It does not demand its own way . . keeps no record of being wronged. . . . Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Christmas Eve

Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. (George W. Truett, late Baptist pastor)

Truett continues, “He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries.” The Bible says that Jesus is to be crowned “King of kings” and “Lord of lords,” a rather astounding pronouncement about this inauspicious birth under unlikely circumstances. In just two days, we’ll celebrate this God-given royal gift.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Worship

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts. (Max Lucado, pastor and author)

As we begin this Christmas week, our thoughts often go to that wonderful; historic event of the birth of the baby Jesus. What would it have been like to have been the shepherds who heard that first announcement? Or the Magi who followed that star to find the promised Messiah and give him gifts and worship. We are blessed give our worship and gifts this season in the name of the One who came for us.

[The Magi] saw the child . . . bowed down and worshiped . . . opened their treasures and presented him with gifts. (Matthew 2:11)

Giving

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. (Amy Carmichael, late missionary to India)

It’s the giving season, and our mailboxes are full of pleas for financial help for innumerable worthy causes. Jesus said, “It’s better to give than receive,” but giving just to appease our consciences is an unfulfilling gesture. A much higher motivation, of course, is giving out of a heart of love for God, country, and those whom we can help with a timely gift.

Since you excel in so many ways . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Happiness

[Happiness] is not determined by our circumstances but by our responses to them. (Source unknown)

America’s first “First Lady,” Martha Washington put it this way, “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” So, there we have two ideas about being happy. First, determine to respond positively to your circumstances, and work hard at developing an optimistic outlook on life.

For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15)

Perspective

It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe. (Muhammad Ali, late boxing champion)

For some older readers, a prospective mountain hike might be intimidating, but Ali’s point is certainly true. It’s like the sensitive princess who was always disturbed by the pea under the mattress. It’s often the little things that can make life miserable. It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? We can easily remove the pebble and move on to the important path ahead.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

The Christmas Spirit

The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. (Thomas S. Monson, late American religious leader)

It’s just one week till Christmas! Has the Christmas spirit overtaken you yet? If so, how does it affect you? Monson challenges us to think more about its real significance than the frivolity of the holiday season. “It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things.”

And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. (Philemon 1:6)

Kindness

Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers. (Kahlil Giban, late Lebanese-American writer)

It’s mid-December, so there might be snow where you are. If it’s fresh, as Giban says, it’s very likely to be beautiful. Unlike snow that may not be so pretty after a thaw, kindness always remains beautiful. Kindness is more that something nice; as Publilius Syrus, an ancient writer said, “You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.” Purpose to be kind today.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! (Proverbs 3:3)

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. . .  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:8)

Resilience

Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit. (Bernard Williams, late English philosopher)

During the difficult years of World War II, scientists were developing all kinds of materials that could be produced cheaply and be more resilient than those currently in use. Synthetic rubber, Dacron, nylon—all kinds of things were created that continue in use today. But yet, as Williams wrote, the human spirit is the most resilient of God’s unique creation.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:3)