Daily Stop & Thinks

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. (Hal Borland, American author and journalist)

It’s New Year’s Eve, for many people a time of unrestrained pleasure and frivolity. In reality, as Borland suggests, this is “neither an end nor a beginning”; it’s a continuation. What we do with the next 366 days (it’s a leap year), will determine whether it’s a good and positive year. Let’s approach it with an attitude to honor God and serve others in the New Year.

Through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. . . . The fear of the Lord adds length to life (Proverbs 9:11; 10:27).

A new year is on the way, and the possibilities are endless. (New Year’s greeting card)

We’re about to turn an important corner. The last page on the calendar will be turned tomorrow, and we will put up a calendar with nothing but blank days with numbers. We cannot control all that will happen on those days, but we must choose what we will do with each of them. Consider your choice carefully, because it will be your life.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Leadership is . . . leading others to the next level. (Tom Roy, author and sports evangelism founder)

When we think of leaders, we often are picturing the end of their pursuit, the goal they wish to achieve. That’s critical, of course, but an equally important facet of leadership is how the leader interacts with those he leads. What have they achieved personally in the pursuit of their mission? Are they more skilled? Have they grown? What have they learned?

The Apostle Paul: “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do (Philippians 3:17).

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).