Friday, Dec 6

Scriptures: Romans 12:6 (NIV) – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Message: My wife can wrap a Christmas present so beautifully that it can be displayed in the window of a department store to encourage customers to come in. Well nowadays, this would probably be more like a post on the internet. I always wrap my Christmas presents too, but the recipient often asks me if it got run over by a truck!

Did you know God made us each with special gifts. Part of loving others is knowing how to share these gifts. It means knowing our strengths and serving others in ways that make us shine for God. These gifts can be our creativity using our hands, or they can be our energy and enthusiasm to grow our church and community. Foremost, they should be with our whole heart.

The birth of Jesus Christ is the most precious gift we can receive and is the very reason we celebrate Christmas. His love is what Advent is all about.

Prayer: Gracious God, we offer You thanks and praise for the gifts we have been given. Blessed by Your grace, teach us to show gratitude by sharing what we have been given to others. Help us to always use Your gifts wisely. Lead us as we share them generously as we show Christ to others. Amen.

Jim McElhose