Gifts from the Heart...

Today, the homeschool group our family is involved in, had a Gift Making Day.  The point was to reitterate that Christmas isn't just about getting, more importantly, it is about giving.

We began by reading the account of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12.

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him."And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet,

'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER, WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"  

Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him." And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.   And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way."

So WHY do we give gifts?  Do we do it out of tradition, or obligation? Is it our pride or insecurities that lead us to give to keep up appearance? This season, I urge you to take a few minutes and ask yourself WHY.  Talk with your family and encourage even the youngest to give something this year, whether it be a handmade gift or even the gift of time. Use gift giving as a catalyst to discuss the TRUE reason we celebrate CHRISTmas! You will be truly blessed!

Merry Christmas!
Katie