CHAPTER 12, PAGE 25

This is a day of giving.

Christians around the world pause today to celebrate the birth of Christ, and the spirit of giving which is so gracefully embodied in that first Christmas almost 2,000 years ago.

Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. It is a simple truth, even self-evident, yet magnificently profound and powerful. For life consists of giving. We are, each of us, unique, with our own contributions to make.

At the same time, we are part of a greater whole. Giving is what keeps us connected. The more we give of ourselves, the more we strengthen our own unique aliveness.

The gifts we give become part of the world around us, where they grow in value with each life they touch. Anything that we truly and sincerely give, we will never lose.

True giving means giving of one's self. The physical object, if there is one, is merely a token. The essence of the gift is in the giving, in the expression of sincere love and caring.

When you give a part of yourself, it is not gone, it is bigger and better than ever. Giving is the most self-serving thing you can do. And therein lies the beauty of life.

Ralph Marston

Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.

Dale Evans

GOOD MORNING !

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

I do hope Santa was good to all of you ! You know I received many many gifts and all of those weren’t boxed up and tied with a bow for sure.

As my theme of GIFTS will still continue through the end of December, I do hope you will be thinking in a different way now as you read the word GIFTS. Along with GIFTS I’ll be giving THANKS for those gifts too!

Today I’ll begin by saying THANK YOU to all my family and friends for the wonderful gifts you’ve given me through out this year.

So remember while December

Brings the only Christmas day,

In the year let there be Christmas

In the things you do and say.

Anonymous

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Christmas Is

Source Unknown

Christmas is a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God.

Christmas is angelic music in the form of a carol and oratorio with a celestial descant.

Christmas is "glory to God," "good will to man," and "joy to the world."

Christmas is "peace on earth" for those who accept it and live in unity with God's will.

Christmas is a man on duty tending sheep, or machine, who senses the upward call and stops to worship.

Christmas is a tall green tree which serves as festive altar for any household which discovers the true meaning behind it all.

Christmas is a ringing bell calling a distraught humanity to gladness and hope.

Christmas is a glowing hearth gently placed in the winter of man's loneliness.

Christmas is an altar to which man can bring his heartache for comfort, his lostness for guidance, and his sin for forgiveness.

Christmas is the sparkle of anticipation and the steady light of faith in the eyes of a little child as he hears the old, old story.

Christmas is the shining star of hope in the sky of all mankind.

Christmas is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand.

 

May Peace be your gift at Christmas

and your blessing all year through!

 

MA

 

 

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