On December 25th I had a burden on my heart to write this message.

Whose birthday is it today after all? Not mine and not yours. It is Jesus’ birthday and, as simply amazing as it is, we are the ones getting presents. No, not the ones under the tree, but the ones He gave to us. Gifts that we do not need to unwrap because they are not material things. Gifts He gave to ALL. Not only to the wealthy, the healthy, the rich, the smart, the successful, but to ALL.

Maybe you are familiar with the Bible, maybe not. Maybe you know “the reason for this season”, maybe not. There is a message in Luke 2:10, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for ALL people (shepherds, wisemen, kings, carpenters, office managers, bosses, teachers, roofers, and on and on). Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

Notice two important things. First, He is a gift of Great Joy and was wrapped in swaddling clothes. Wow, stop right there! He was not found in an expensive box or wrapping paper. Secondly, He was called, Christ the Lord. Not Jesus, yet. Mary and Joseph knew they needed to name Him.  However, no one knew what the child would be called until the eighth day when He was circumcised and named, Jesus. At His birth He was honored as, Christ the Lord.

Today, as I ponder over the year to come, I urge you to think about the fact that He was Lord before this world was created. He brought gifts of Joy, Peace, Love and Hope to all. Bringing these gifts did not include the stresses of thinking about finances, wrapping, delivery, suitability, or quantity.

Although Christmas is over for this year, I’ve been thinking about the song, The 12 Days of Christmas. 12 days of wonderful gifts! Why stop there? We could celebrate The 12 Months of Christmas and live as if every month is a reason for a gift – gifts of joy, encouragement, happiness, love, kindness, peace, hope, gratitude – for someone who needs to see that God is still sending Jesus into the world today.

Would you be able to give one of those gifts a month to someone? A child can do it, a teenager, adults and “seniors.” Everyone can do it. Without cost. Just caring.

Let’s make this type of giving a priority in our lives all year. Don’t wait until Christmas 2017 to feel the spirit of Christmas permeate you!

Merry ”12 Months of Christmas” 2017!