[Jesus said to Nicodemus] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world though him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned…"                               John 3: 16-18

Today we are two weeks from Christmas.  Many who are reading this are flying around making lists, working late, planning dinners, practicing special music and dramas, and generally "burning their life candles at both ends"!!! 

Jesus is the reason for this season.  God sent Jesus to be born in the manger…for me.  Jesus came to give me Himself because I needed a sacrifice that would cover my sins.  I needed forgiveness and Jesus made that happen!

A wise man once told me that I could not love others the way that I wanted to until – I loved myself!  He was right.  So today, two weeks before Christmas, I took some time to give myself a gift that Jesus had already bought for me.  Forgiveness.

Jesus says right here in this passage that God did not send Him to condemn and if I believe in Jesus I AM NOT CONDEMNED.  Oh, but too often I hold myself and others to a standard that certainly isn't God's!  When I hold un-forgiveness against myself or others, then there is a wall being built between myself and God.   Jesus has already done what must be done to destroy that wall.  Jesus did everything that ever needed to be done when He set His face toward Calvary and shed His blood. 

Yesterday (actually doing this every day is more important than brushing my teeth!) I spent time with God and I turned my mind toward `stuff'.  I told God all about it.  Yes, I know – He already knew!  But then I opened my arms and heart to receive His forgiveness!  It was right there!  And now – it is something that I can freely give away!

In the frenzy of gift buying and gift giving, let's remember the priceless and important gifts that are already ours to give because Jesus always gives us plenty so we can pass it along.  Maybe Brother Fred or Mom or Cousin Sally doesn't deserve my forgiveness or `nice-ness' (grace) at the family Christmas Eve dinner – but then I didn't deserve to be forgiven either!  Maybe I think, "I can't do this!" – but remember Paul's words:

I can do all things (ALL – no exceptions) through Jesus who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

Two weeks.  I think I have found a wonderful way to spend the next 14 days – shopping through God's catalog (so to speak) and allowing Him to continue to give me gifts every day and show me what to give to others!

HAPPY, JOYOUS HOLIDAYS FOR ALL OF US!