The Perfect Gift

I don't know about you, but right after Thanksgiving my mission in life is to find "the perfect gift," for each and every person in my life. I want so badly for them to be pleased. When I was pondering what to talk about for my guest spot this month this is the subject that came into my mind immediately.

I wonder if everyone has that same determination for perfection?

I have more fun watching people open things I have carefully selected than I ever do opening something given to me. The opposite is true when I give those gifts that are generic... you know, the ones that were picked up quickly at the black Friday sale at Kohl's and are just to serve the purpose of having a gift for someone who you know will be giving you a gift.

What is it about giving and recieving that makes people so happy? It's much more than a need for something, it is definitely a want issue. I think about that every time I see the old reruns of Little House on the Prairie. The really old ones where they are in the little house and get a stick of candy for Christmas and are so excited. Can you imagine giving your children a stick of candy for Christmas? Period?

I love my kids, they are kind and loving and they have hearts for Jesus... but they also want stuff!

Where's the balance? Is there a balance?

I actually decided to scale down this year to create more balance. Growing up I was taught that Christmas was not a religious holiday. It was almost a bad thing to even suggest that it was associated with the birth of Christ. Now I do realize that even though we do not know the exact date of the birth of Christ it is more about celebrating His birth on that day.

Christ was, is and will forever be the perfect gift. So no matter what I give my kids, my friends, my relatives, or my secret pals, the best gift is Christ's love. If I can show that love I am giving the perfect gift. There is nothing that compares.

It is frustrating to get caught up in the materialism of the holidays. I am always really aware of it when they put the Christmas trees up in stores in October. This year I hesistated to begin getting ready for Christmas, not because I am depressed or sad... but just because I don't like being pushed into it.

I think if we as Christian women took a stand for Christ and spreading goodness during the holidays rather than the overwhelmed feelings that usually consume us trying to make a Martha Stewart Christmas, we'd do much more good.

Jesus is the perfect gift.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through
Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you struggle with the holidays, trying to do to much?

Do you find yourself losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas?

Christ was born 2000 years ago, is He born now in your heart?

I pray that that Christ is born in all our hearts and will come alive this Christmas.
Amen.