The best Christmas gift -- receive the gift of peace, joy
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
- 1 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
It's Christmastime! Have you started shopping so you can be ready to celebrate? Are you making your list and checking it twice, so you don't find yourself caught in an embarrassing moment when you realize you've left someone out? Or do you enjoy the adrenaline rush of last-minute shopping?
We've all been there a time or two. For some, I believe last-minute shopping has become part of the holiday tradition. They enjoy the sport of bargain hunting for sales until the last door closes.
I remember the days when the seeking-spirit of the last-minute shopper really had to stretch its imagination; the pickings were slim because the only place open to shop Christmas Eve was the corner gas station. A bottle of soda or a pair of sunglasses, (and I'm not referring to today's stylish ones) didn't go over well with the receiver, once the ribbons and festive paper were removed.
Two thousand years ago on the first Christmas, three wise men and some simple shepherd boys were doing some gift seeking as well. Their search didn't bring them to a festively decorated store; it brought them to a stable filled with the stench of any typical barn.
Yet, their hearts drew them to an incredible gift there. It wasn't wrapped in paper and bows, but swaddled in strips of cloth. They couldn't explain when they saw the infant, Jesus Christ, bundled there. They only knew in their hearts their search for the indescribable gift had ended.
This Christmas season, as we look over our last-minute list one more time, may our searching hearts find the strength to keep seeking spiritual growth in our attitudes and actions. As we seek him, may we ask God to unwrap the hard shell from our hearts and receive the gift of peace and joy found deep within.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak to your church group or business. Contact her for information about her Saturday conference in January: "Writing for fun and profit." Contact her a Annettee Budzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. Visit www.annetteebudzban.com.