November 19, 2010
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The Best Gifts
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
--Helen Keller
I've been thinking a lot about Christmas. I've been making a list of who I'm shopping for, possible gifts to purchase for them, pondering budget constraints, etc... I must share with you though, I am not a fan of all the gift exchanges. Nope. I'm not.
We are living in a time of tremendous economic fear. My dad will be laid off permanently at Christmas. The plant he works at is shutting down, sadly effecting many families in my hometown. It's a time of uncertainty.
Remember when the crippled beggar outside the temple gate asked Peter and John for money?
But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
He walked! What a miraculous moment! God sent Peter and John on a mission. It wasn't their mission to give away money. Peter and John were very certain about that, cause they didn't have any money. God sent them to give away Jesus!
I am reminded that in our giving, we may not always be able to give expensive gifts or even gifts at all but we, like Peter and John, can give from what we do have. We can give Jesus.
Perhaps we can give words of affirmation, speak or write a blessing, perform an act of service, cover needs in prayer...what comes to your mind? Please comment with your ideas and suggestions for gifts from the heart.
For more unique and frugal gift giving ideas, click here.
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Comments (5)
We're on the same page!
Wonderful post, Sweetie!
It is so true that the gifts from the heart are the ones that matter. Not everyone appreciates handmade/homemade things, but they are usually very materialistic people. I LOVE the gifts from the heart! One very bare year, I had my 3 kids each write a note to their Dad, thanking him for whatever they thought was appropriate. On Christmas morning (my man does NOT cry), he opened and read the specially written and decorated note while wiping tears from his eyes. That was THE most blessed Christmas. Well, one of two. The other one was when I was pregnant with my 2nd child and on Dr. ordered bedrest. A friend came to visit and sat with me while we figured out how to make beaded snowflakes for our Christmas tree. She was so kind, patient and caring. Other friends came to clean the house so that it would be nice before Christmas. A youth group from church came and serenaded me with Christmas Carols. I cried so many tears of joy! NO material gift can outshine those genuine acts of love.
@georgene - Thank you Georgene! Hope things are well with you. Praying blessings for you.
@Richgem - Beautiful. Just beautiful when others share Christ's love with us. I too have been on the receiving end. I pray that I have also been on the giving end.
We don't do Christmas. No tree, no gifts & no decorations. Many people look at me like I am crazy when I say this. I tell them that my family & I do our best not to get caught up in materialism. At the end of the day, if you look carefully, that is all Christmas has become to most people. It is very sad.
Do not fear--God provided for those in the desert. He will provide for you & your family.
@Carla67 - Aw, thanks Carla. My dad is very faithful. And God has always provided for him. You are right all the "trappings" of Christmas makes it hard to focus on the meaning.
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