BEAUTY CONQUERS THE BEAST
AT
CHRISTMAS

         Well, it’s nearly Christmas again and many of our thoughts are speeding past Thanksgiving, right into the hustle and bustle of planning for Christmas. We can already sense the many spirits of busy shoppers, Christmas music in the malls, and even the smell of popcorn and candy canes in some of the stores; of perfumes and leather bags. Everything new. Our minds are already racing to, “What will we buy for So And So?”
         Many Christians take this time to STOP and think about what they are doing. Not desiring to be a religious Pharisee and cut Christmas completely out of their lives, they seek answers from the Lord, as to how He can help them separate the Beauty from the Beast. The Beauty of gaily wrapped gifts, a festive meal, the JOY of family and friends gathering together celebrating the birth of Christ and sharing warm memories from the past.

 

         I do not like to even speak of the Beast of Bondage, but I must at this point, because most of us ordinary people face him each Christmas. He comes to steal some of the Joy of Christmas from us, and encourage us to allow ourselves to be in bondage for the coming year. I think everyone on a limited budget knows what I am talking about. Credit cards are his main trap. We cast aside all warnings for the fun of a temporary pleasure that we may regret the rest of the year.
         Since we have the mind of Christ, He gives us inventive ideas or witty inventions ( Pro 8:12 ) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.) and plans a way of escape.  ( 1Cr 10:13 ) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
         Out of the Abundance of His Heart, God gave His Son. Freely we have received, let us freely give. Not from a “Have To” spirit but from the overflow of our hearts.
         From what I’ve learned in God’s Word, Jesus loved celebrations and family gatherings. He still does. And I don’t think He would miss attending His own Birthday Celebration. God loves to see His children together, loving each other and sharing.

SHARING 

         Sharing! This is the secret code to side-stepping the Beast of Christmas Bondage. We can do it, if our hearts understand the love and wisdom of God.
         I’m stepping out of my boat of religion and worldly tradition this Christmas as I prepare to put this plan into action…no matter what the world thinks. I know it will work and be the most wonderful Christmas I have ever experienced. It will be a turning point of tradition in my life. If this plan witnesses to your spirit in a Joyful and Peaceful way, you might like to at least THINK ABOUT using it.
         When the Lord led me to the study of Tithing, Taxing, or Sharing, I understood that we were to share with the Body of Christ, from pure hearts.

Not just the overflow of our hearts, but also the overflow of our finances and storehouses.

         I’m including now a part of the Fresh Bread #54 about Titus’s unspeakable Gift of Giving.

I Found the Gift

         I found this gift through a new revelation for me in 2 Corinthians 8:15. “As it is written, HE THAT HATH GATHERED MUCH HAD NOTHING OVER; AND HE THAT HAD GATHERED LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

         This is the way they lived. When they had all they needed for their families, and found that they had some left over,…this was to be given to other Christians who were in need. Then, if they were in need, others would help them by giving what was left over each month.
         God tells us to share (give) not from what we don’t have but from what we do have. Look around your home. You have many gifts the world has given you that are a part of your overflow. You don’t have to feel guilty about passing them on. They are yours to give and bless someone else as they have blessed you. This could even present a small test of your pride before men if you don’t understand the joy of this kind of sharing.

PRAY AHEAD – PLAN AHEAD

        

         I have learned to pray ahead for coming events. Some of them, only God knows about, but when we pray ahead, things just turn out better. Then, I don’t feel like I am missing my quiet time with my Lord, because I’ve already included these events during my morning worship.
         As many women are already cooking natural food for Thanksgiving and Christmas, many are also preparing their Spiritual Angel Food for their families.
         So we prepare ahead of time for this Special Coming Event.
         Thanksgiving should come first. It’s a preparation for the Big Event. It should receive all the honor and glory that is expended on Christmas. 
         Thanksgiving is simply Christmas without receiving physical gifts. There is a feast and there is usually family gathered around the table. It’s a lot like the prayer I have heard offered so many times before a meal, “Thank  You, Lord, for the gifts we are about to receive.”
         Let us remember that Jesus is our most important Gift. And He brings with Him, gifts more precious, than money can buy.

         One of His gifts is Wisdom.
         So, in anticipation of the Christmas Season, I intend to be looking for the overflow in my life and seeing what precious gifts (natural and spiritual) that I can wrap with elegant ribbons and shining gift wrapping papers. Much more elaborate than I’ve ever used before.
         I will not give trash or things of little value, but the very best that I find in my overflow. My Lord and I will have fun in the days to come before Christmas as we discuss what would bless someone else. It will be easy to give things I thought I couldn’t live without because God has anointed me with the oil of gladness that comes with the Gift of Giving just as He gave Titus.
         And in a larger sense, I call it the Gift of Sharing because all that I have comes from God. So, in wisdom today, I believe He wants me to share from my overflow.
         Those who have gathered much financially can give financially from their overflow. Those who have little financially, only have to look around their houses and see what they think they’d like to share with someone they love.
         God will give us so many inventive ideas (Proverbs 8:12) so that our excitement about Christmas will grow each day. And when Christmas Day has come and gone…the Beast will be defeated and Beauty shall remain.
        Tomorrow when I go shopping for Christmas, all I will have to choose, will be the prettiest wrapping papers and the choicest colors of ribbons and bows. 

      

         My storehouse is overflowing and I’m ready to Share. Not only natural gifts like a good meal and my home, but to share laughter, fun, jokes, happy memories. And receive from my children as they share their children with me. I want to share myself and most of all, I want to share the Love of Jesus. Yes, my storehouse is full and running over. I pray yours is too, and that you find many inventive ways to extend this plan to share. Whether you have much or little, give out of your overflow.

          

AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY STORE-HOUSE TO YOURS.  

Love,
Gwen