You Need Christmas

Christmas Gifts that did not work

A friend of mine asked on face book what is the worst Christmas gift you ever recieved.

Karen Said: My middle child woke up with chicken pox one year. Couldn't go with us to any family gatherings but had to hang with grandma all day. And yes, he was kind enough to share with his sister who got them 2 weeks later.

Scott Stucker I actually received a lump of coal last year from my niece.

Sarah Ellen Vinson Gotta be the toilet seat from The Dad. Well, we did need it!

Ruth Fisher Stoddard My mother-in-law once gave me a broken alarm clock and a $.69 cent pair of pantyhose. The tag was still on the pantyhose.

Brenda Char A treadmill- because I was told I ‘needed to lose weight’

Jacki Myers One year, Jessie bought me a beautiful sapphire ring.... Identical to one he'd bought the year before! When I opened it and looked confused, he asked "Don't you like it?" I said " Yes, and I liked it last year too."

Paul Risler, a long time friend of mine said: One year (I think I was 5 or 6), I told my parents I didn't believe in Santa. When I came down Christmas morning there was NOTHING under the tree for me. NOTHING. Everyone else opened their gifts. And as we were wrapping up (and I was crying) my parents pointed me to the other room where all my gifts were. A dramatic lesson but one I don't recommend anyone else trying.

Christmas is a Gift

FOURTH SUNDAY

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God gave the greatest gift ever.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

7

Christmas is a Gift that Keeps on Giving

John 3:16

John 3:18 NIV

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Titus 3:4–7 NIV

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

John 3:

Christmas is a Gift Worth Sharing

Matthew 28:

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God,

Decision: Baptizing

Devotion

     make us ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy.

Devotion: Make Disciples

O come, O come, Emmanuel.

Direction: Teaching Them