The Perfect Christmas Gift

As we finish up the last few days of shopping, planning and creating for the Christmas season I thought I'd share my thoughts on what we could give others around us as THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT---yes, this sounds bold and somewhat impossible, but please read on:

OUR HUSBANDS:

Give him the gift of a submissive and respecting wife. From this day forth be loyal to him and committed to him in all your thoughts and actions. Be trustworthy with his finances and bring him good and not harm all the days of your life. Care for his home they way you would take care of the Lord's home, after all, it is all His anyways. Raise his children to love the Lord and honor him. Build him up with your words and vow to never tear him down again. Help him with his weak areas. Love your husband and forgive him of His shortcomings the way Christ has forgiven you. I don't think he'll want to return or exchange this kind of a gift!

OUR CHILDREN:

Show the gift of love to our children through our actions. Disciple them, shepherd them and teach them the Word of God so they will teach about Him to the next generation. Do not treat them as a burden that gets in your way because they are our true gifts from God that truly make our lives rich. In a spirit of kindness, meekness, patience and joy, spend time with them for this is really what they want--not that toy you fretted over purchasing that will sit in the corner untouched for much of the year. Imprint on their hearts righteousness as you will be helping to save their souls from wicked ways. Teach them not to be drunk on entertainment and pleasure as the world is, but teach them to serve the Lord with their lives---be committed to giving your whole life to raise to lovingly raise them, all these will be gifts that will last a lifetime and be passed onto our grandchildren and great grandchildren whom we might never see.

OUR PARENTS:

Give them the gift on honor and patience and kindness. Respect them and love them because of who they are and do not remind yourself of their failings. The mere fact that God has placed them as your parents in your life is enough to give them all the honor and respect due to them. Give them the gift of time as well because they won't be around forever. Love them unconditionally because they need Christ just as much as you do. (Imagine if they got saved by the fruit of our actions, wouldn't that be quite an 'eternal' gift?)

OURSELVES:

Give yourself the ultimate gift--- the Word of God.

Don't try to be who you're not or buy what you cannot afford. Give yourself the gift of rest that comes from bathing yourself in His priceless gift to you, His Word. Restore yourself, revive yourself in the richness of His wisdom and His merciful grace. Take time in it. Read. Relish. Treasure it in your heart. Connect with Him. Let Him speak to your heart--stop drowning out His voice with anxious thoughts, frivolous pursuits and empty gain. His Word is truly a precious treasure, more that any gift of diamonds or gold and will empower you to live the best life that you could have ever dreamed of or imagined.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER:

We cannot forget the One for whom this whole season is about! Give Him the gift of a committed daughter----you!!! Commit yourself today to renew and strengthen your walk with Him, don't wait until you begin planning your New Year's goals to do this. Commit every area to him, especially those things you've been hanging onto like bad luggage..for example:

pride

that private sin no one knows about

your sinful thoughts about _________

and so forth...

The greatest thing about all these gifts is that they are for FREE....yes, I said free! In fact, I read the price tag myself and the only thing I saw enscribed on them was simply this:


LOVE.


Yes, love, after all, isn't that the price He paid for us???


(Now what are you waiting for, ladies? We've got to get busy wrapping up these gifts!)