Good morning,
The movie “The Christmas Box”, which is a movie I love to watch, brings out an interesting point of view. The Evans family is hired by a widow who owns an estate. Richard Evans is a ski shop owner who puts in long hours and which causes stress in the family as well as the employer. At first, Richard thought Mrs. Parkin disliked him and he couldn’t get a good read on her. One day Mrs. Parkin asked Richard, “What is the first gift of Christmas?”. This question would haunt Richard throughout the movie. As you reflect on Christmas and its meaning, I want you to think about the question and “why is it so important?”. I encourage you to watch the movie and watch all of the pieces and parts. Lastly, I want you to put yourself in the place of Richard Evans and see how it applies to you and the circumstances surrounding you.
Verses: Isaiah 9, Luke 2, Psalm 51
Famous Quote: “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge”
Father,
Christmas is the last holiday on our calendar next to Hanukah. As we close out the year, we are more often than not very busy. This “business” often takes time away from those that love and care for us. More importantly, “busyness” detracts from spending time with you. When we do not spend time with you, Christmas eventually becomes meaningless and we lose the spirit. When we lose the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of “dullness”, “self-pity”, and “depression” seeps in which pushes us further into darkness. I am sorry Lord for all of the Christmas’ I have squandered by not spending time with you. Please forgive me and may those I have hurt this year and all of the years past forgive me as I forgive them. I pray for my family today Lord that you will watch over each and every one of them wherever they may be. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).
IHS
MK
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