Monday, December 12, 2016

A Self-Giving Christmas ~



Hello to you, my dear and sweet friends!
Oh how the wonder of Christmas surrounds us
this beautiful time of the year.
Here is love, not that we loved God
but that He loves us. (1 John 4:19)
God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son
to cancel out the penalty of sin to allow for 
eternal reconciliation with God.
(John 3:16 ~Romans 6:23 & 8:32) 
That gift was followed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
and grace by faith (Ephesians 2:8).
God gave of Himself at the first Christmas.

******

I was listening to the Christmas song "The Little Drummer Boy"
and pondered on the words that were penetrating on my heart.
I couldn't help but think of that poor boy
who had no gift to bring that was fit for the King.
He had only one possession , his tiny drum.
Picture this scene ~
The little boy asks the baby, "shall I play for You on my drum?" 
Mary, the mother of Jesus nods yes, and so he plays his best for Him.
As you read the lyrics of this Christmas song
of a poor boy who gave of who he was ~ a simple child
who gave his heart and hands and talents
to please and worship Jesus.

******

Come they told me,
a newborn King to see
Our Finest gifts we bring,
to  lay before the King
So to honor Him, when we come.

Little Baby, I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring,
that's fit to give our King
Shall I play for You, on my drum?

Mary nodded,
the ox and lamb kept time
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him
Then He smiled at me,
me and my drum.

I left the pa rum pum pum pums out
as I'm sure you are singing the tune in your heart.

 
There is no better time than Christmas than to give of ourselves.  
We can give God our Hearts ~
(Mark 10:13-14)
Let us come as little children giving Him His rightful place
 on His lordship and His love.
We can express our love through prayer, worship and fellowship.
We can give God our Hands ~
We can serve God through serving others.
(Galatians5:13 & 6:2)
We can give God our Talents ~
Our talents and abilities can be used for the glory of God.
(Corinthians 10:31 & Colossians 3:23)
We can give God our Love ~
When we love others we proclaim that we love Jesus.
(John 13:35)
When we show forgiveness of others it is like a gift to Jesus
in response to His forgiving us.
(Ephesians 4:32)
God wants ALL of us more than He wants anything else. 
 
******

Dear friends, I would like to share with you a beautiful
part of Scripture that I have to say struck my heart
like it has never done before.
This time of year we hear and read of the birth of our Savior;
we come before Him, bow down and worship Him
and adore Him.
But as I was reading the book of Luke where we see the 
Christmas story clearly it was there in chapter 2 verses 36 through 38
that took hold of my heart strings.
*
Anna, a widowed prophetess who, in her old age
spent all her waking hours in the Temple worshiping
and waiting for the Messiah to appear.
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus, their first born
to God in the Temple, Anna recognized Him immediately.
She knew God's promises had been fulfilled; the King
of Israel had appeared. 
God had kept His promises to His people.
Anna devoted herself to "serving God by worship"
through fastings and prayers. 
I love that! 
What an honor to her God!
But Anna did much more, she also spread the Good News
among others who were looking for the redemption in Jerusalem.
What a testimony of great love for her Messiah, her King of Kings.
I want to be found worshiping with fastings and prayers for my King of Kings,
so as to be ready ALWAYS to share the Gospel with those who are searching for Truth.


I am praying for the abundant grace and blessing
of the Lord in your life during this season of giving and loving Jesus.
Have a most blessed holiday season, dear friends.


Joy to you!
~ Debbie ~  
 

27 comments:

Elizabethd said...

What a delightful post, Debbie. I read it through twice and was blessed by it.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Thank you for this beautiful post Debbie. In this busy time, our hearts can wander as we try to accomplish so much. That picture of Anna is so inspiring, as she kept her heart on the one needful thing.
Blessings to you, Deborah

Karen said...

This post is so meaningful to me, Debbie. I think of both Anna and Simeon waiting and watching for the Savior. I pray that people's eyes are opened to recognize and confess Jesus as Lord, especially during this season.

Celestina Marie said...

Good Morning and Happy new week my dear friend. What a blessing to read your lovely post for Christmas. It is so true. Our best gifts are giving of ourselves with time or talents. These special gifts used for the glory of God.
Anna's story is all inspiring as she worshiped and prayed knowing it was all to honor God and in return she received a great gift.
Thank you for sharing and wishing you and your lovely family a beautiful Christmas.
Love and blessings, xo

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Debbie ~ What a lovely post, so spiritually uplifting and encouraging.

Happy Christmas holidays to you and your family ~ FlowerLady

hobbyloes said...

What a meaningful text Debbie, Anna en Simeon are waiting in the temple for their Lord in full of confidence.
The song of "the Drummer Boy" is as simple, and as awesomely beautiful!
Hugs.

Cheryl said...

What a beautiful post, sweet friend! It is really something how this posts reminded me so much of my dear Mother. She LOVED the story of Anna, and she would always tear up and cry when she spoke of it. It blessed her and moved her so deeply. And, for you to mention "The Little Drummer Boy" in the same post just floored me, because it was Mom's favorite Christmas song. In the last several years of her life, she wasn't able to go into stores very much. We would take her in Walmart and let her ride in her wheelchair and things like that, but she rarely was able to really enjoy such outings. She usually would ride along with us in the car and wait for us while we shopped. So, not being out too much, every Christmas, she would worry that they had stopped playing "The Little Drummer Boy" in public. She would often tell me how she hadn't heard it "this Christmas". I would assure her that, yes, I was still hearing "The Little Drummer Boy" played in public, and it would please her so much to hear that. Every time I hear it, I tear up thinking about Mom. She once bought Zach a "Little Drummer Boy" bear that plays the song and has a little drum. To this day, he STILL puts it out in his room at Christmas, and when he plays the song, I cry. Your posts always bring such comfort and joy to me, dear friend, not just at Christmas, but all through the year. I love and appreciate you so much and hope you and your dear family are blessed with a wonderful Christmas!

Sylvia said...

"The Little Drummer Boy" is one of my most favorite Christmas songs, but then it is true not only at Christmas but anytime. I too have meditated on the words and wonder what have I to give to my King that would be worthy. You have such insight Debbie. I love reading your post. May God bless you and keep you close this Christmas season!
Have a very Merry Christmas,my dear friend!

Melanie said...

Beautiful post, Debbie. That song has always touched my heart. Giving out of abundance is good but how much more to give sacrificially. I hope you had your family have a blessed Christmas season!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, I love The Little Drummer Boy...what a special gift he gave to the newborn King...he gave his very best gift and talent to Jesus...and that is all He asks of us...to give our best of whatever we have to give. Something to ponder this time of year. Thank you.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Your post exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas, lost in all the hustle, bustle and rush of commitments and expectations. If we could just stop and realize that Jesus wants us to love him, and share the gospel with others, this is the truest meaning of Christmas, and what He came to live and then die for! Thank you for sharing your heart dear friend, and for the love and joy that I feel overflowing in this post, what a treasure this was to read today! May the Lord bless you richly dear friend!

Vicky Hunt said...

What a lovely post Debbie...I always leave here with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. You are such a blessing! Thanks you for sharing. Hope this Christmas season has been blessed for you thus far. Have a lovely week.

Hugs, Vicky

Anonymous said...

Dear Debbie,

What a lovely and beautiful post! The Little Drummer Boy is a favorite carol of mine and I love how you made special note of the words of the song, for I, too, have thought the same things that you mentioned. Such inspiring words for us, especially when often we think we have to something big and grand, most of the time, it's the little, small, everyday things that He cares about the most.

Thank you for this lovely reminder and for the beautifully festive post! Wishing you a lovely week....

Joy and peace to you!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a beautifully written, heartfelt post, my friend! I especially loved the part where you wrote about all the ways we can give of ourselves through our talents, our love,our hands, our forgiveness, etc. I also loved the story you shared that tugged at your heart, about Anna, and how she served God through her fastings and prayers. Truly, what an example she is for us, and Debbie, you are, too. Love and God bless you.

Alex said...

Oh Debbie, this post is a really special. I think I will print it out and keep it ~ in my heart yes, but also in my Christmas card boxes so that next year, if I begin to suffer Xmas 'overload'from the commercial side of Christmas ( not that that i am indulging in that, but you can't escape it when you go out!!) I will be able to be blessed and refreshed allover again!
I am fascinated by Anna. Very little is said of her but what we do learn is that she is deep, faithful, utterly comitted. And very wise.
And so are you, my friend!
I whatever you do for the Lord, however simple, it should be a quality effort. Even the drummer boy played 'his best'. :)
Many blessings! xx

Debby Ray said...

Debbie, This is just such a beautiful post. I have to tell you a little story. Mike, the PT that I work with had asked me out of the blue about the song "Little Drummer Boy" just the other day and every time it comes on the radio during the day in our clinic, he mentions that it is playing again. Out of curiosity, I googled the back story of the song so I could share with him the significance of the poor little boy and the rum-pum-pum-pum that came from his drum as a gift to Lord because it was all he had to give. I printed it out and gave it to him to ponder and maybe the Lord will speak to him. He is a great guy but not a practicing Christian although he has been raised to be a believer. How amazing that I read this today! Sending my love and Merry Christmas hugs!! ♥♥♥

Connie said...

What an absolutely beautiful post and I love your LOVE nativity :)

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Thank you sweet Debbie for blessing me with your lovely words mixed in with beautiful scripture!

Creations By Cindy said...

Such a sweet and precious post Debbie and yes...I am humming the tune to the little drummer boy! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Dear Debbie a heart filled post and thank you for your prayer at the end, I pray Gods blessing upon you and your dear ones as we worship around His throne.
Anna was indeed one of those whom the Kord would say, "she hath done what she could" I pray that I will be always.
Thanks for sharing, and for being a blessing and popping by to say hi. God be with you dear sister.
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Sandra said...

Hello Debbie! It's been too long since I've visited. What a beautiful post. Your words are always so heart-felt and gentle. I so appreciate you sharing such truths.

Enjoy your weekend!

RachelD said...

Debbie,

I've so enjoyed this lovely first look at your blog---I wandered over from Nana Diana, (isn't she just a bright sweet spot in the day?). Just the words and your voice of faith and fellowship is a wonderful start to my own day.

Who doesn't love a little cabin in the woods (my own hot-South childhood dreams of Summer Camp in Maine, with sleeping-porches and swimming before breakfast are kindled by any mention of cabin or lake house or "in the woods." I can just hear the soughing boughs in the night breeze.

Thank you for the lovely read this almost-Christmas morning---we've lots to do, with five ladies coming to "tea" at five. We've always called it our Christmas tea, but it's mostly just an annual little gathering of friends and family, with our oldest a sweet neighbor of ninety. Just a little sit-down over supper and some Christmas sweets, and catching up a bit.

I'll be back soon, especially when the January snow flies, to delve into your lovely archives.

rachel

Daniela said...

Good Morning, dearest Debbie, and thank you for such a delightful, inspiring post, you are always a breath of fresh air for my soul, blessed be !

Wishing you all my best for your Holiday Season, Sweetie,
may it be Peaceful and Joy-filled as never before, to you and yours,
with much love and gratitude

Xx Dany

Lillie said...

Hello Debbie, thank you for stopping by my blog and thank you for your words of comfort.

What a sweet and lovely post, here's wishing you a blessed and joyous Merry Christmas.

baili said...

Precious writing !!!
thank you for your enlightening post dear .it reminded me a movie i watched years ago" MATCH GIRL" in which during the winter snow a little girl dies out side the shop where cheerful faces are busy in their Christmas shopping.

NanaNor's said...

Christmas blessings to you Debbie. You always write the perfect posts for us and I loved todays.
Praying you are blessed beyond measure this Christmas season.
Hugs,
Noreen

CherylQuilts said...

Wishing you a blessed and joyous Christmas today, Debbie, to you and your precious family! May we all consider the gifts He has given us back to Him in service. He has blessed us so richly and given us so many opportunities to share the light of Christ. May we continue to rejoice and praise Him in all we do. Thank you for yet another beautiful post. While I've been AWOL quite a bit lately, I love reading your "email" posts that I receive. Sending hugs and love, precious friend! xoxo

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...