The gift that money cant buy

Christmas is rapidly approaching and there’s so much to do and so little time!
Cards to write and post, Christmas decs to find and put up, gifts to buy, wrap and post, house to clean, old toys to get rid of, children’s concerts to watch the list is endless.....

How are you doing with your Christmas shopping, have you started, are you all finished or are you still struggling with the fact that it’s nearly the middle of December?

I have the ability to write a list at anytime for absolutely anything and everything. It’s a very special talent!!  At this time of year whether you’re a list
writer or not you’d have to agree, that making a list can save you time, money
and head work. Who we need to buy for, what we need to buy and where we can get them at the best price. It can be a nightmare!!  Anything that can relieve stress is a winner.

Everywhere we look there are sales, offers and deals; (Buy one get one free, buy one get one half price and 50% off) gifts for him, gifts for her, gifts for them and gifts for us. Whether we are watching T.V., reading a newspaper or walking through a store, Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!

What’s on your Christmas list this year? Slippers; the cosy fluffy booties, perfume; your favourite but expensive one, new undies; the ones you wouldn’t be embarrassed to hang on your washing line, DVD; the latest chick flick or action thriller or a one ticket to somewhere far away? It is always lovely to have something special under the tree.

Do you buy gifts because of an obligation, to repay the giver, to keep up with the Jones’ or because you love the recipient?

Are you a thoughtful shopper or do you grab the first thing you see? What’s a thoughtful gift? A gift that meets a need, face cream because they’ve mentioned they’ve run out? A gift that’s a treat; because they deserve something special? A gift that spoils; something they’d love that they would never buy themselves.

The Christmas gift giving tradition started over 2000 years ago when 3 wise men brought gifts to Jesus; Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh and each one of those gifts have a significant meaning. Do your gifts have meaning?  There is nothing worse than giving a present and knowing that it will go straight into a drawer. Do you
throw your gifts into a drawer? I love buying presents that will be loved and
treasured. What kind of a shopper are you?

More important than the gifts is the act of giving, giving with pure motives, with a generous heart, unselfishly and meaningfully. 18 years ago on the 19^th December I gave and received a gift, it was an early Christmas present. An extremely thoughtful gift, I received the gift of everlasting life in the form of forgiveness and love by giving Jesus my sad/lonely/hurting heart. You wouldn’t get that from a secret Santa!!

We all know the Nativity story well Mary, Joseph went to Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth to a baby, who they called Jesus, in a stable, who is the saviour of the world.

God loves YOU! He loves YOU so much that He sent Jesus into the world. He is God’s gift to us to YOU, today and everyday you have the opportunity to receive the gift of everlasting life. So if you’re still umming and arring about what you need this Christmas choose Jesus. He won’t be a gift you’ll be returning in January. He is for life not just for Christmas.

What will you do with His gift this Christmas? The gift that money can’t buy!!

The Bible says; John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever (YOU) believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

YOU ARE LOVED, SPECIAL AND WORTH IT...xx