Wednesday, December 5, 2012

IMMANUEL,THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!



"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23 New International Version




It’s a magical time of year whether you reside in Suncity, South Africa; Tempee, Arizona; Vancouver, Canada or Buffalo, New York. It has not so much to do with the temperature, location, arid or blistering heat but everything to do with embarking upon another Holy Christmas season and freely receiving the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ, Immanuel. Truly it doesn’t get any better!

Oh come, Oh come Immanuel, we sang this song with such excitement. It seems at every turn there it was! Especially when Christmas caroling and then as a closing or an opening hymn during our Sunday worship services the message was clear it was about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. And yes-proclaiming peace on earth and goodwill towards all! How we love baking our delectable cookies, trimming our trees and decorating our homes as we are singing happily Oh Come, Oh Come Immanuel!  Secular radio stations have even caught on and play it on R & B stations. It’s that miraculous, holy time of year and all can freely express that Immanuel means: “God with us!” Now that does give me a special reassuring comfort! What about you?

Our spirits can proclaim that God is with us in our unpredictable ups and downs; God is even there during the most perplexed life chapters! God is with us in our celebrations, as well as our silent seasons. Friends, believe that God is forever present!

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
Psalm 144:2 NIV


One of the absolute best Christmas gifts given to you was what? Something that made your heart skip a beat, a piece of clothing you felt you couldn’t do without? That art piece which absolutely tugged at your heart? Possibly it was a handmade creation, a treasured trinket, a one of a kind toy, the tin can of heavenly baked goodies, or the phone call from a friend you longed to reconnect with or was it the gathering of loved ones reminiscing and their laughter filling the room?  I don’t know? But I recall the Kodak slogan: “The gift that keeps on giving.” That’s the gift I truly long for! The material (admittedly) and but certainly the supernatural! It’s a spiritual re-gifting of sorts that provides all my friends and family with an infilling of love, peace and joy when the sweater is too snug and the goodies have been gobbled up. I AM with you gift, why not receive a living water gift that we didn’t have to be stampeded over during Black Friday or risk experiencing our computers being hacked into on Cyber Monday because we choose not to shop at the mall!

Are you in search of the perfect treasure to share? Imagine it’s already in your presence, in your spirit, in your speech, in your essence! It’s a thanksgiving, a spiritual rumbling, the voice within that is ignited in prayer which connects us with a divine source, Emmanuel-in us! Oh my friends it’s easier than reaching for the light switch! It’s forever with us! God is listening and awaiting the attentive, the loving, the longing you! The you with the hungry parched spirit! He’s awaiting your surrendered heart & soul! And does He ever have a heartfelt conversation for you!

It’s your call! Come timidly or boldly! Reach out to Him in a whispered petition, an audible plea, or maybe in a silent moment-sacred devotional, a broken bow, or an exhilarating breath, an utterance of: “Lord I know you are with me!” Come with a declaration: “Lord I am weak, worn-out and tried-but you are strong! Help me, save me, guide me!”

It’s the soul awakening moment that acknowledges that our God is all the present we need to share-we need to receive! Think of God's love, His gift as a divine package that resembling ornate, stacked gift boxes containing a three in one blessing-the Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Ghost with instructions designed to propel, mend and sustain you! And the really good news is when we may not have an overflowing bank account or the energy to purchase gifts which will be long forgotten or appreciated, we can look to the hills from where our help comes from!

Let’s declare that Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift that can be had by all, no matter what’s in our Christmas Club Accounts! Be sure to include celebrating Jesus in your gift giving. Merry Christmas!

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23 New International Version






Praise Him, Praise Him!
Linda Mose Meadows, Inspirational Author of:
The Blessedness of Believing, A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises

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