Naughty or Nice... by Heather Clark

It is make or break it. Your whole year has built up to this point. Children will wonder if they will get a car or celery? Candy or coal in their stockings. As Christmas gets closer, they will then try extra hard to suck up to the gift givers, call up relatives they haven't spoken to in a few months, refrain from attacking their siblings; no matter how annoying they seem to be, and try to make an A in their classes.

But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts, the trees, the lights, the cards, the dinners, the shows, family time, stockings, and Santa? For many people that is certainly not it. They don't have the money, they don't have the kids to buy presents for, or maybe they're missing a loved one no longer around. Despite these things Christmas is still a holiday that brings much joy, because it is a time when we're reminded of God's great love for us.

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Christ. God sent his son Jesus into the world to be born. He sent his son into this cruel hard world so that one day he would bring salvation to us all, otherwise we all would've died in our sins. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Regardless of what is happening in our lives we can be happy knowing Heaven will be our home one day. I want to encourage you to invite Jesus into your heart this year, and to remember it's not the gifts, trees, lights, or even Santa but rather Jesus is the reason for the season. Enjoy your family and friends and thank God for sending us his one and only son. 

Have a Merry Christmas!

Divine Mentor: The Ultimate Sacrifice-Hannah- by: Debbie McGrath

Today's reading from the Divine Mentor Plan:
1 Samuel, 1- 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7

As I was reading this morning, I couldn't get past the first two chapters of Samuel.
Hannah's actions leave me in awe - what an Incredible Woman of God!!

Verse that got my attention:

1 Samuel 2:2

There is no one holy like the Lord;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God

As Hannah is turning over her very young son to the Lord, she praises God!

Hannah did not boast about her own actions of giving up her son.  Her focus was on God - her worship came from the heart and was saturated with the joy of the Lord. Hannah is truly a Godly Woman!!

What I admire in Hannah and desire for myself:

1.  She went straight to the Lord with her problems.

2.  She believed God would hear and answer her prayer.

3.  She knew children were a gift from God.

4.  She was obedient - she freely gave her child back to God.

5.  She knew the Word of God.

6. She knew God was in control.

7.  Her focus was on Christ!