December 5 Home Communicator – Gifts…
Christmas music – it is everywhere during the months of November and December. I have been enjoying listening to it as I am sure many of you have as well. There is such a variety of songs and renditions. Some are traditional favorites while others are more recent additions. This past week it struck me how so many of the songs focus on the importance of gifts – what is wanted or wished for at Christmas. These wishes run the full gamut – ‘my two front teeth’, ‘a hippopotamus’, ‘a white Christmas’, ‘peace on earth’, and so on. These songs are fun to listen to and sing; and the gifts wished for make us smile.
We all remember the anticipation of receiving gifts at Christmas. We remember the excitement of opening the presents from under the Christmas tree. We didn’t pay for the gifts we were given. We didn’t earn or even deserve the gifts we were given. We simply received them and opened them. The same is true about God’s gift to us, which we celebrate at Christmas time. He gave us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is a gift undeserved and certainly not earned. It is God’s gift to us – all we need to do is receive it! What an awesome and gracious God!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9:6 – 7 NIV
While this season gets busy with shopping, wrapping gifts, and being with family and friends, let us not become too busy to remember that keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love, and spirit of Christ that dwells in each of us, by allowing these traits to shine through our actions. May this season of Advent be one of special focus our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Blessings to you and yours,
Mary Broene, Middle School Principal
