“This morning I saw a post reminding us that in just 23 days it will be Christmas. How it came so fast I will never understand. But at the same time, I thought, Oh yes, we know Christmas is coming, because we’ve been pushing it for months now. Everywhere you go there’s a deal, a Black Friday special, a Cyber Monday sale, and even today is Giving Tuesday. For many myself included it can be stressful to even think about, especially after the year that I and many others have had. Amen.

But the sad part is that it should never have to be the most stressful time of the year, because it’s honestly supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Amen. The year is coming to a close, and we are moving into a new one.

But I just want us all to remember that Christmas is so much more than a gift under a tree in the morning. Christmas, to me, is a gift that keeps giving all year round 365 days a year. And the gift more precious than anything you can buy in a store is the gift of love. Amen.

It’s the gift we carry with us to give away to others. A kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand, a warm smile, a word of encouragement, the presence of joy and laughter or maybe just a nice comforting hug. Amen. Those are the most incredible gifts we can give to anyone, because they come from the heart, and money cannot buy them. Tangible gifts don’t heal the mind, the heart, the soul, or the body. Amen. They don’t touch the deeper needs we all carry, because we are all works in progress daily. Amen.

But when we go out into this big ole world and give something of ourselves to strangers, coworkers, those in the grocery store, the retail workers, the baristas, the people we let go ahead of us in traffic that is the best gift we can give. It sparks hope, reminding us and them that there is good in this world, that kind, loving, caring, generous people still exist. Not everyone is rude, selfish, or arrogant. Amen.

So to me, the gift of love the simple everyday gifts we offer as we walk through life is far better than anything under a tree. Amen. Because we all need each other in this thing called life. And never forget: everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Amen. So let us choose to give well to everyone not just a few, but to all who cross our path. Let us give the gift of love and care, because God is love (1 John 4:8), and when we love, we are never more like Him.

So this Christmas, my heart and prayer is that we do not stress over it. Amen. That we simply do the best we can with what we’ve been blessed with. And that we remember Christmas is about the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

For Scripture tells us that the virgin Mary would give birth to a son, and His name shall be called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders; and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).

So when we consider the true meaning of Christmas, the greatest gift is Jesus. As we move through this season, let us not forget the Lord Jesus, and may we share Him every day of the year with all who are far and all who are near. Amen!”

“For it is in His name, Jesus’ name, that I do ask and pray..Amen and Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi ❤️