Daily Stop & Thinks

The Season’s Love

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. (Washington Irving, 18th-19th century short-story writer)

This weekend it will be nice and pleasant to sit by the fire, feel peaceful and thankful. With family and friends around, the spirit of love prevails—and it’s sweet! In that world outside our cozy den, however, it seems there isn’t enough to go around. That’s why this Christmas season reminds us of God’s love that sent Jesus to Bethlehem and sends us to share his love with others.

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

A Christmas Wish

What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future. (Agnes M. Pahro, late artist and poet)

She continues: “It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” In these few days before Christmas, we do find joy in thinking of past celebrations and we can have hope for the future. But the hoped-for peace will come only because of the Christ child who is the intended Prince of Peace.

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

Christmas Lights

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles . . .  tangled Christmas tree lights. (Maya Angelou. Late American poet)

Whether you put them up before Thanksgiving, or wait until Christmas Eve, Angelou’s right; tangled lights can really test one’s patience! Such things can really spoil the spirit of Christmas: the joy, the sharing, the carol-singing, and especially the retelling of the true Christmas story.

(Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Work

There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something. (Henry Ford, early automaker)

Ford was known for his inventions and for being a very demanding employer. Some today may agree with him about work. After all, many jobs require strenuous labor with little relief. Ford is right that you can be happy about your accomplished task. But there ought to be some sense of joy that you have a job that benefits others.

Hard work brings rewards (Proverbs 12:14). It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them (Ephesians 5:18).

Important Things

Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us. (David Cameron, former British prime minister)

One week to Christmas, and the excitement is building—especially among children. Parents want to help their kids enjoy the season with its fun and anticipation, but they should also remind them of the season’s significance. As you take time to share love through gifts, cards, and parties, be sure to remind them of the greatest gift that we celebrate at Christmas.

But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through . . .  Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15). Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15).

The Next Step

If you make your internal life a priority, then everything else you need on the outside will be given to you . . .  (Gabrielle Bernstein, author, speaker, and podcast host)

Berstein continues “. . . and it will be extremely clear what the next step is.“ As we mature, we begin to realize that there is more to life than what can be seen. We sense an inner self that needs to be cared for and responded to. The question is “Who points out the next step?” The first place we turn for the answer should be to the Creator who has his plan and purpose for us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Judgment

I’m going to be gone one day, and I have to accept that tomorrow isn’t promised. (Hayley Williams, musician)

Williams continues, “Am I OK with how I’m living today? . . . . If I didn’t have another one, what have I done with all my todays?” Good questions. Many of us, at least when we are young, don’t think much about the number of our days. But, since there is no promise of long life, we do need to evaluate our days. Will we be satisfied with what we’ve done? Will God?

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Challenge

We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. (Brené Brown, researcher and storyteller)

Well, at least, “not at the same time,” Brown says. We are often challenged to step out of our comfort zone, accepting challenges that may frighten us but that offer some kind of success or advancement. The comfort often comes, then, when we successfully accept and overcome the challenge. Challenges are what makes life difficult but at the same time rewarding.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. . . . God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. (1 John 1:3; 12).

Light

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. (Edith Wharton, American writer and designer)

Shy people avoid the spotlight. Ambitious people often work hard to be seen and heard. But whatever our natural disposition, we all want to have a positive influence on those around us. Often, we are the bearer of good news and enjoy sharing with others. At other times, we can only reflect what we’ve learned or experienced from others. In either case, we are sharing the light.

Jesus: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12). You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:4).

Legacy

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. (Thomas Campbell, 18th-19th century Scottish poet).

At funeral visitation and services, we often hear or say, “He/She will never be forgotten.”

Sometimes we think, “I’ll never forget —-.” Our memories are short, aren’t they? But we treasure the memories of those unique people who greatly influenced us in some manner. It’s a legacy that can encourage and challenge. That’s how we should try to affect our friends.

Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith (Hebrew 11:4).

Freedom

Freedom is not the opposite of control. (Craig Groeschel, author, speaker)

Our country was founded to provide freedom for its citizens. Centuries later, some seem to understand that to mean freedom from control. Such a spirit of independence will result in anarchy. You can’t play basketball or any other sport without rules, and someone has to enforce them. True liberty is the freedom to live as you choose within the established social constraints.

For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil (1 Peter 2:16).

Home

At Christmas, all roads lead home. (Marjorie Holmes, late American author)

Christmas is two weeks away, and many people are making traveling plans to be at  home with family for the holidays. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is one of those haunting melodies, because it’s home “only in my dreams.” Remember at the original Christmas; wise men from the East traveled all the way to Bethlehem to worship at the home of the Christ child. Let us worship, too!

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).