Corona Devo 1755

We have a dear friend of our family...our faith family.  God is how we met and God is our common ground and our common love.  We don't know each other all that well, but (because of Jesus), it feels like we've been friends forever.  That's what God does for a relationship.

This guy is older than us, and single.  He lives alone and I happen to know that although he is an excellent steward, his money is tight.  And so, clocking in daily before 5:00 AM for a full-day on his feet, he works an (over) full time job, even though he is beyond retirement age.  And although his coworkers and managers do not sound like easy men, he serves everyday in a Colossians 3:23-24 way.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (24) since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  ~Colossians 3:23-24

It certainly is the Lord Christ that he is serving.  His attendance, his attitude and his skills are exemplary, and (as the holidays approach), do you know how his boss thanked him for his hard work?

I do.  

I know exactly.  He must have received the gift of a free ham or turkey voucher (good to be redeemed at any grocery store).  I know of this "Christmas bonus" because our friend gave that gift to us.

His Christmas bonus.  His holiday reward.  His compensation for a job well done...this man gave to me and my family.  

In this season of gift-giving, I don't think there will be another gift under the tree that could possibly have more meaning to me than that turkey-coupon.  

This friend-in-Christ whose life has lack, gave away his (hard earned) surplus...in joy.

I know that part because I saw the twinkle in his eye when we thanked him.   

~~~

This selfless-giving trait is (only) passed down to us from our Father...our Heavenly Father.  

I imagine that God had glee in His heart when he secretly sent His Son to be born under the cover of anonymity and in the company of sheep.  

The world expected a king in royal robes. They thought the coming "king" would be aggressive and militaristic and domineering.  

But God sent His gift as a defenseless baby in the manger.  

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  ~Luke 2:11-12  

~~~

People would have expected royalty to be his initial visitors, but this child was welcomed first by angels and next by shepherds.  

No--nothing about Jesus was what anyone expected.  

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”   

(15) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  ~Luke 2:14-15

~~~

The true gift of Christmas is Jesus.   

The true gift of Christmas is God's heart in so mercifully/lovingly/sacrificially giving Jesus to us.  The world didn't see it coming, at least not happening in this way.

But God did.  Of course the Father knew exactly how His Son would be delivered and why.  

His Son.  His humility.  His humanity (although fully divine).  His sinlessness born to take away our sin.  God gave Jesus to you and me out of love.  

I don't think there could ever be another gift that could possibly have more meaning.  

This selfless giving (and receiving) is the foundation of our understanding of Christmas...and also of our faith...and hopefully of our holiday gift-giving.

~~~

And so---who is on our Christmas list, and how can we give to them in a way that puts a twinkle in our eye and joy in our heart.  

And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”  ~Acts 20:35


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Corona Devo 1156

Image
At work, we provide Trainings for customers, so that they can be updated and educated on all of the latest features (and how to use them) within our product.  Many companies do this--sharing "Best Practices" are a way to ensure positive outcomes on the customer and vendor sides of things. My kids often offer me "life hacks" that they have learned from watching an online video promising to "save time" and "make your life easier".  And just this week, my husband enlightened me about the "tear-away" feature built into most plastic rings holding cans/bottles of pop or Gatorade together.  When separated, the plastic rips open easily, releasing the bottle--saving wildlife that might be caught if it is discarded as trash, and saving me  frustration or angst because I no longer have to pull with all my might to get a bottle out of the plastic rings.  ( Who knew? )  Life hacks do save time and make your life easier! Who couldn't benefit from...
Read more

Corona Devo 1217

Image
The unanswered “why’s” of life, the disorder of our days, and even the unfairness of our struggles can cause us to question ourselves and also to question our God. But the order-of-Creation and the systems that God has set in place are undeniable answers that swing back and forth like God’s pendulum-reminder that He set the world in motion, and He continues to keep order, even when it seems as if we and our world are in dis- order.   Job was a man going through some heavy and hard stuff.   Maybe we are too.   Job’s trials had caused him to question the order of life, and possibly God’s dominion over it.   We can relate.   The “Why’s?” and the “Why Me’s” can stack up in our minds and hearts, but like a parent exercising loving-authority over a child, God reminds Job and us--of His power, omniscience and of His ultimate authority over everything: Creation… and us today .   Then the  Lord  answered Job from the whirlwind: (2) “Who i...
Read more

Corona Devo 991

Running low on " good things " today?  Doesn't it (sometimes) seem like/trend like/read like/tweet like/water-cooler-chat or backyard-fence-visit like/intimidate like/depress like... there are no  good things in the land? . I know. It's no secret that many have abandoned  the Law of the  Lord,  and at times, that's us .   It is evident all around us that people have  followed each other  in this sin.  When we look around...or when we live our days...we can wonder: Are there  any  good things  left in the land? There are still some good things in the land ...and no matter how bleak we feel the "forecast" for today is...there will always  be  some good things in the land, because God is in the land.   T he Bible reminds us of that today.   ~~~ The Israelites (and their king, Rehoboam ) were God's people, but like all of us at times/seasons of our lives...they wandered from Lord and His ways....
Read more