The Real Gifts of Christmas!

How do we break the tradition of giving gifts and tell people the real meaning of Christmas instead! I ask myself this Christmas - "What is the Chirstmas gift that God gave us?" We talk about gifts under the Christmas tree symbolising the real gift that God gave us when Jesus was born but what gift was that?

After all that I have gone through in this journey, I told myself -"It must be grace! No, no..it's gift of righteousness". Then I listened to lyrics to Christmas carols and I catch "Second birth". Yes, Jesus came to give us second birth! So, still searching, I decided to share with my bible study group. Some shouted "Love", Some shouted "Eternal life". I was taken aback! Hey! You mean there's not just ONE special gift?

So yesterday morning, I started doodling on a piece of paper all the gifts and tinsels and decorations that God has given us this Christmas. And my oh my, there were so many, too many to fit my christmas tree! I am sure I left out some gifts too e.g. this morning I thought of "Rest" from Matthew 11:29-30 (Message)

" 28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Then I started coloring it and before I knew it I started making Christmas cards out of it. Because I shot it with my handphone, I could also send out MMS christmas greetings! Praise God for His wonderful inspiration. It's wonderful to be able to rest in the Lord and just let the holy spirit take over - the unforced rhythm of grace....a holy spirit directed christmas holiday activity!

So, I've put it on this blog for you to enjoy the tinsels, decoration and gifts of Christmas. If you can't read it, here are some of them:

Star: Second birth

Tinsels:

Holy Spirit

Eternal life

Encounter with God

God's power

Victory

God's knowledge

God's wisdom

Redemption

Protection

Good health

Providence

Blessings

Yulelog: God's goodness

Candy cane: Freedom

Decorations:

Joy

Hope

Peace

Gifts:

Grace

Love

Righteousness

I pray that this Christmas will be the beginning of your close encounter with God of the astounding kind - like mine! Because suddenly, my eyes have opened and I can see how real and how personal He is in every aspect of my life. Truly, He is faithful. He was there all the while. It is I who had turned away even though only slightly but it was sufficient to cause me to almost perish. But as soon as I fixed my eyes on Jesus again, He pulled me out from the pit and placed me onto a spacious place. That is How great, compassion, merciful and loving our God is. Praise be to God forever and ever! Amen!

Blessed Christmas everyone! May your hearts be filled with all the tinsels, decorations, christmas gifts from our Lord Jesus Christ that your heart can hold. May it be a very special christmas for you this year as you encounter Him, the almighty God.