The Christmas Gift Given By God
Due to the weather we could not hold services this last Sunday, so I decided to send news that I missed the week before. Hope all of you are safe and had a blessed Christmas.
Well, the first thing I want to tell you is if you weren’t at the Cove on Saturday night, you missed a wonderful program. Everyone did a fantastic job, and what a blessing. There were some of the most beautiful songs and recitations concerning the Gift given by God. It is so important that we keep Jesus in the center of our worship not only at Christmas, but all through the year. Many have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas because of the busy shopping, wrapping and whatever we all use our time and energy for.
I really feel the need to thank our people for being willing to work at whatever they were asked to do. At the risk of taking up too much space, I must name them: Gloria, Gerald, Geneva, Naomi, Louine, Brother Bob, Tresa and Joyce make up the Hope Singers. Then there are the others that did so much to bless the people: Randy, Jon, Carl Wayne, Daniel, Angela. We missed one of our group who was sick and unable to be with us (Linda, we missed you). What would a church be without the workers who are so very talented and anointed by the Holy Spirit?
Some of the program was repeated this morning for those who were unable to be here on Saturday. We then had a short time of thanking and gift giving to some of the members who are always there to fill in the gap. When Pastor took the pulpit He was very touched by the word in Matthew 2:1-12. It is the story of the birth of Jesus. We have all heard the story many times, but each time it is as if it were the first. Brother Bob brought a new thought to the meaning of “gift.” He told us that a gift is not a gift until it is received. So the gift of Jesus is no different. Until we receive him into our heart, he is not a true gift. God sent his son as a gift to a lost and dying world. In verse 10 the wise men saw the star and they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They were being led to where the Christchild was born. Let us not be misled by thinking it is wrong to give gifts to those you love. God wants us to give, but not to the point that it is impossible to think of anything else. Our sight is often obstructed by all the lights and business of the season. Keep your eyes on the gift that will never leave you nor forsake you. Just as we find in 1 John 1:4, he promises us that your joy may be full and forever. However, again in 2 Corinthians 5:15-17, we are reminded that Jesus died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again. Verse 17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is proof that the works of this gift never end nor fail. Make this time of year special by looking to the true gift and giving your heart to him who came to meet your every need and show you love that you have never known before. In your Christmas list include God’s blessings for your family. You will never have a better gift to offer them.
So, as we say “See you next week,” just allow us to thank all you faithful readers for giving us a reason to send God’s word out to you through the goodness of the newspaper, who graciously publishes it week after week. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.