Joy! to Your World! A Countdown to ChristmasSample

Did you know that Christmas is all about presents?! Now ... before the self-righteous Scrooge of your personality rears its miserly head ... think about it for a minute. Every joy-filled day of this miraculous season ... every holiday cookie that is lovingly baked ... every Christmas card that is hurriedly mailed is all about giving a gift. The intent of the heart is to give a gift to someone who has been a part of your life Sometimes the gift is a loving sacrifice ... and at other times it is a necessary nuisance. For some people you buy a gift because they feel that it is expected. For others, you buy a gift because you, quite simply, wouldn’t have it any other way. Many people buy gifts out of tradition or of family demands but most we buy out of heart-felt love. We give because we care and long to express a small piece of our heart. Heaven gave every person in every generation the greatest Gift of all. The Bible says, “A Child has been born for us!” Imagine the miracle of that gift ... just drink in the joy that God gave the gift of His Son for you! The first Christmas, over 2000 years ago, was all about presents! It was about a Gift that came from heaven with your name on it ... with love, from God! It wasn’t wrapped in expensive red paper and tied with a bow of gold, but it was a gift personally chosen for you just the same. It was a present that Someone knew you were unable to live without. He knew that this particular Gift would change your life forever. The gift has been given ... a Baby in a manger. The Bible says that “God so loved the world that He gave His Son ... His only Son!” When you love somebody ... you just have to give! God loved you enough to give you what you wanted most of all: unconditional love and a never-ending song in your heart. Will you receive heaven’s gift this year? The gift has already been given and is yours to receive. It is the gift of a Father to His child. It is a gift that will guarantee heaven’s entrance into all of your circumstances, and a gift that will ensure your entrance into the joy of heaven.