Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so thankful for the gift of Christ, and that we can celebrate Him all year 'round, but be especially reminded of Him at this time.
Mogi and I are in Kentucky this week, visiting my sister and her family. It's been a great trip so far! Sledding (we really had a white Christmas, which was a treat for the Americans!), baking German cookies, singing carols, playing games. We decided not to exchange presents this year; instead, we gave the gift of presence. We were challenged by the Advent Conspiracy to:
Our visit was a surprise for our nieces and nephews. It was precious to see their faces when we came downstairs the first morning...shock mixed with excitement. I think time really is the best gift. We don't need any more stuff, and we want to strengthen these family relationships and take advantage of the time we have to spend together. Be inspired by the promo video from the Advent Conspiracy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&feature=related
As I have said before, the Lord has laid on my heart the word joy this month. I was reading the popular 'Christmas passage' from Isaiah 9:1-7, and this theme jumped out at me again. Look at the promises that this son who was prophesied to be born fulfills: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you...you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them...he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."
This is the God we serve! The God that became flesh and made his dwelling among us to show us his love. He is the one that offers true joy. This year may you choose anew the light of his presence; may he increase your joy; may the things that burden you be shattered, and my you come to know this Jesus in an even more personal way as your Counselor, the One who is mighty, your Father, and our Prince of Peace.
Christmas blessings!
-The Moglers
Thanks for sharing Kristyn!! our family has done that the past couple years. This year we gave to a single mom who has three boys, and due to rape she is pregnant with twins. SO we all pitched in to buy the boys each one small gift, and to buy mom maternity clothing that she was in dire need of! It was great to see their faces as they opened their gifts! The boys got more joy out of watching mom open her many gifts than they did about opening theirs! She was so blessed to have a need of hers met. As she says "now I have clothing so I can go out into public." before she had only a few items of clothing that she was very quickly out growing, now she has a few different shirts and pants that a especially made for someone carrying twins, and a few dressier ones for around the holidays! The joy that was brought there by filling a need, will last forever. Rather than the short lived happy filling you get from something you want! It was such a blessing to see her face when she opened they boxes, and when she tried on the pants and didn't want to take them off. Not to mention it was so much fun spending the afternoon picking out clothing that we thought she would like, see what would make her feel most special and loved. And then sharing what we were doing with the store clerks they were blessed that someone was doing "such an awesome thing" and then they got in on picking out clothing! including special "intimates" for pregnant women! I mean who knew? All this to say It is more blessed to give than to receive! Giving something meaningful like your time, or filling a need, that will last for a lifetime, wants fade and change, relationships and needs will always be there, so what are we doing to bless others during this time?
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