Dear Reader,
There's a song in the air! Carols for the season are heard everywhere. Do you hear what I hear? Christmas is just around the corner. The deadline is fast approaching. Hearts and minds, hands and feet are scurrying to finish the list of gifts to find, parties to attend. The date is certain. One must plan for travels and guests before that great and glorious Christmas Day celebration.
Remember, from before the beginning of Creation, God planned for His Special Day, too. And all His plans arrived perfectly on schedule at the appointed place just in time. The weaving of individual wishes with governmental speed, institutional religious worship schedules along with a Heavenly sign combined perfectly to unwrap God's incomparable Christmas Gift!
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Rev. Roger Yoder
Ever receive a boring gift? Often it ends up sitting in a drawer or on a shelf. Or even (perish the thought) being re-gifted. God's gifts are not like that! They will change your life and help you be part of strengthening the church - the Body of Jesus Christ.
God's gifts are made to be used. The apostle Paul compared spiritual gifts to a fire and warned believers not to ignore them or throw water on them. Are you tempted to minimize some gift of the Holy Spirit? Read Paul's words on the subject in I Thessalonians 5: 19.
Rejoice and use all of God's wondrous gifts this Christmas Season and beyond!
In fact make it a point to receive and welcome God's special gift to you this Christmas.
Unwrap His Gift to you by joining in worship this Holy Season.
Rediscover His Gift to you by pondering anew the text of hymns and carols to be sung in worship before you sing them. During the prelude music, meditate upon the lyrics, ask Jesus to make them real in your life, in your family and in your local church. Then you will surely join in sincere praise, Finding one's Faith renewed, ready to be used by the Master's Hand to bring light and life to all you meet. What a blessing you will be - Unwrapped and useful in the Kingdom of God! WOW!
For example: Consider especially the last two verses to the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem and the words "O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. Pray it! Mean it! Believe it! Live it!
May you and yours have a wonderful and blessed Christmas season! Now and Forever!
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This week's column comes from Rev. Roger Yoder, pastor of the Liberty, Dunnstown, and Swissdale United Methodist churches, Lock Haven Parish.
