Daily Stop & Thinks

The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth and privilege. (Charles Kuralt, late American journalist)

During the recent holiday season, many of us enjoyed the extended time with family and friends. And, as Kuralt has said, we realize that those relationships are so much more valuable than the gifts we may have received for Christmas. Some of those gifts have already been damaged or lost their original value. But, friendships and love continues.

Love never fails. . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:3, 18).

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. (Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol)

It’s just been two days since that special holiday, and already we’ve likely begun to forget its meaning and joy. But today, Sunday, is another holy day, a day celebrating the climax of the Christ Child’s life: His resurrection. It’s that final victory over death and sin that causes us to recognize God’s wonderful plan in the sending of Jesus on that lonely night in Bethlehem.

God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law Galatians 4:4-5). Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures … he was buried … he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Did you ever notice how all the presents are far more interesting before you unwrap them? (Cartoon caption)

It’s the day after Christmas, and the cartoon quote is pretty accurate, isn’t it? The anticipation is often more fun than the actual experiencing of opening the gifts, and the 26th of December is sometimes a gloomy and sad day. If that’s true, we would do well to remind ourselves of the greatest gift of Christmas, the coming of the Christ Child, and rejoice.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).

There has been only one Christmas — the rest are anniversaries. (W. J. Cameron, journalist and publicist)

It’s like birthdays. We talk about one day being our birthday, but, of course, it’s only the anniversary of the day we were born. As we celebrate this special day, we should be reminded that it is the anniversary of THE birthday—the day when God took on human flesh and entered our world. Let’s celebrate His birthday with thanksgiving for His coming.

The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14).

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. (Roy L. Smith)

Tomorrow is Christmas, and we might well be thinking about the gifts that we will give and receive. Certainly, the children are in high anticipation of what “Santa” may bring them. But Smith cautions us to think more seriously about what is at the heart of Christmas. It is a gift, to be sure—the gift of God’s Son to provide the way that we could know Him.

The one and only Son, . . . is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, [He] has made him (God) known (John 1:18

Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. (Amy Grant, singer-songwriter)

As we approach Friday’s holiday, consider Amy’s further comments: “I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ Child.” This year make Christmas more than fun and frivolity. Gratefully consider the great gift of God’s love.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white.’ (Bing Crosby, American singer and film actor)

People who live in the North often think of Bing Crosby’s hit song and dream of a white Christmas. Of course, snow might make the day pretty and provide some outdoor fun, but it doesn’t provide permanent value to anyone’s life. Christmas offers the opportunity to share the significance of the holiday, reminding us of its life-changing miracle.

Jesus: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving. (B. C. Forbes, founder of Forbes magazine)

This is the season of the year when we do think of others more than any other time. We read with pleasure the annual updates from our friends around the world. We have been thinking about family and friends and have likely given something extra for our less fortunate neighbors. We share God’s love with all we can, and we are blessed because of it.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. (Peg Bracken, late American author)

When we think about the gifts we want to give at Christmas, we quite often consider material things like clothes, toys, gadgets, and much more. But, as Bracken suggests, it’s the intangible gifts that may have the greatest impact of lasting value. Spending time with the people you care about, showing affection and concern—such gifts are of inestimable value.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. (African proverb)

We’ve all had times when we really wanted to do something by ourselves because having someone else along would slow us down. That happens too often in today’s fast-paced society. On the other hand, for the long haul, we do need the companionship of others. The camaraderie, the able assistance, the encouragement—they all enable us to go a lot further.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts! (Benjamin Franklin, early American statesman, inventor, and author)

Christmas is just one week away now, and we’re hearing more and more Carols and messages about the Christ Child, peace, and good will. Does Franklin imply that many people give lip service to the meaning of Christmas and Christ’s coming, but ignore His teaching? Jesus came, not for temporal blessing but to give life to those who receive Him by faith.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17)

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. (Tony Robbins, self-help author)

Expressing the same idea, a film some years ago was titled, “Decision determines destiny.” Another way of putting it might be “Choices have consequences.” There are not many things in life we can control, but making a choice or a decision is one of them. In light of the future outcome of our decisions, we had better give careful thought when we choose.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her (Proverbs 8:10, 11).