"Christmas Is Not Your Birthday"

Recently, I have been reading Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, by Dr. Michael Slaughter.  It is a very thought provoking, soul-stirring little book.  "What will you bring to Christ?" is a question that has danced in me as I have been reading.  Will I give Christ my best?  Or will Jesus continue to get the "left-overs?"

Yesterday afternoon the children had a Birthday Party for Jesus.  It was so awesome to see the little ones and the adult helpers having so much fun, making crafts, etc. for "Jesus."  I ovserved for a few minutes how intently these young disciples went about their creations.  They really were giving their best.

This season many of us will search for that "perfect gift" to give to our loved ones.  As we search we will get frustrated, lose hope, and we may even find that our giving spirit has given away to exhaustion.  In the "busy-ness" of this time of year, will we still be able to give Christ our best?

I am firmly convinced that Jesus desires our total worship and service.  I have no doubt that on Sundays we accomplish this, but how about the other six days?  Do we seek to think as Christ would have us think?  Do we speak as Jesus modeled?  Do we love only when we "feel like it?"  Do we talk (pray) to Christ with passion and hope?

As we move through the season of Advent and approach Christmas, I ask us to ponder this:  Christmas is not your birthday.

 Your fellow servant,

Lloyd Earl