Youth Newsletter Article January 2012

Now that the Christmas season has passed we journey through Epiphany, the season where we focus on the revelation of "who" Jesus is – both true God and true man.  However, as I write this in December my mind is largely stuck on the preparations for Christmas … you know the lesser important stuff such as: the gifts, the travel, the time off, the parties … but also another aspect, a far greater aspect: wanting to share the wonderful news with friends who don't know the real joy of Christmas. 

Recently I read a blog entry from a sister in Christ and she focused on verse 7:11 in Matthew "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who work for him!" 

The excerpt from my friend's blog:

              "As a mama, I get so excited when I'm shopping at Christmastime and see a gift that I know my child will love. You know, not just a toy that they would probably like for a while, but something that their little heart would leap for joy at opening on Christmas morning. It's rare to find such a good gift, but so fun when you do. 

              It makes me think of a Bible verse in Matthew that says that if we, who are so full of imperfections and so far from having the pure heart of God, love to give good gifts to our children, how much more does God desire to give good gifts to us?! It warms my heart to think that at one of those moments when I think my heart will burst with love for my children, that He feels the same, and more, for us. And not only when we're behaving.

              I love Christmas! If I opened a box on Christmas morning with a winning lottery ticket, it couldn't possibly come close to the value of the gift received by the world on the very first Christmas."  

When I read that, it touches my heart for many reasons.  I can completely relate to that joy of finding the perfect gift for someone and yet knowing that joy pales in comparison to the love God feels for us is touches my spirit to the core.

By now, most of us have stowed the Christmas boxes back in the attic, we've taken the Christmas cards off the wall, and some of our gifts may be old news by now.  But let us pray that Jesus' light enters us each and that we find opportunities to share his perfect gift, no matter what the season, with those who do not know the true joy of what happened Christmas morning.  Let us put extra focus this Epiphany season to reveal who Jesus is to our friends and family that do not know, so they too can experience that wonderful life giving gift.

Sincerely,

Nicole