Gifts of the Heart

Gifts of the Heart

Christmas Eve and excited children all over the world wait in anticipation of opening their gifts in the morning and some will hope that the gift they bought their friends and relatives will be unwrapped to cries of

‘Just what I’ve always wanted.’

Many homes will have a brightly lit Christmas tree, with an angel or star on the top, each branch trimmed with baubles and tinsel.

Colourfully wrapped gifts of all shapes and sizes are neatly arranged around its base.

There are those of course who for whatever reason do not celebrate the birth of Jesus but the Gift of the Christ child is for everyone even those who do not celebrate.

This Gift was not found under a tree, (the tree featured thirty three years later) nor wrapped in fancy gift wrap, (just strips of cloth) no tinsel, no streamers, no balloons or party poppers but there was the biggest proclamation you could ever imagine, an Angel of God accompanied by others from Heavens’ Army appeared to some frightened shepherds who were going about their business tending sheep.

Of course it’s only fitting for a shepherd to know when a lamb has been born and what a way to       announce it. 

Can you imagine the sight? 

They were of course afraid at first and the Angel said 'Fear not I bring you glad tidings of great Joy'Later three Wise Men following the brightest star there’s ever been, called to pay homage, each bringing a gift from the heart. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Jesus is Gods’ triple gift of the heart to mankind, to those who will receive Him.

Love Joy and Peace.

In order to get the full benefit of a gift you have to unwrap it. 

Hundreds of years before the Messiahs birth Isaiah wrote

Isaiah 9:6-8
6 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 Counsellor,

   Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of

   Peace.
7 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.

The gift of Love 

John 3:16 says
’For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that every one who believes in him shall not be lost, but should have eternal life.’

1 John 4:10 says

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
and 1 John 4:8 says
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

The gift of Joy 

John 15:10-12 says

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in 

     my love, just as I have kept my Father’s

     commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in 

     you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have

     loved you

The gift of Peace 

Luke 2:12-14 
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host 

     appeared with the angel, praising God and

     saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on

     earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

John 14:26-27 

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the 

     Father will send in my name, will teach you all

     things and will remind you of everything I have

     said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I

     do not give to you as the world gives. Do not

     let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jesus is of course The Prince of Peace

May you be so richly blessed as you unwrap Gods’ gift anew this Christmas.
May Love, Joy and Peace be yours in abundance.