Every Perfect Gift

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.

–

James 1:17

As November draws to a close and the Christmas season bursts forth with its events, decorations, and gift-giving, the focus turns from the giving of thanks to giving of gifts. Both are good, but you are probably aware that there are a lot of traps to avoid in December such as overspending, overindulging, overextending your time and resources.

How can you use this season as an opportunity to be obedient to what God puts on your heart rather than a season of stress and weighty obligation? How can you live Christ’s “joy to the world” and “peace on the earth” amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays?

There are many ways to do this. Some people light a candle each Sunday before Christmas and focus on such things as hope, peace, love, and joy.

Listening to and singing Christmas carols is another tradition to keep your focus on the Reason for the Season.

Bible study and meditation, and even physical exercise and laughter, are all practices to promote a healthy atmosphere in your home.

And, of course, prayer and thanksgiving help you get centered in the Lord, producing contentment.

If you have enough to eat, a place to live, clean water to drink, clothes to wear, a relatively peaceful neighborhood, and a somewhat healthy body, you are doing better than most people in this world.