Matthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Mark 10:15
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:17
Truly I tell you, if anyone does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, he will never enter it.”

Christmas.  AHHHH the joy of Christmas morning.  Its excitement is contagious.  No one has to encourage a child to go receive their GIFTS.  They wake in the predawn hours and soon the entire house is up (even though many have just climbed into bed) and when given the go ahead, little feet fly to the TREE.  No timidity is seen.  Wrapping paper flying and boxes ripped open to discover the TREASURES within and the long sought for DESIRE OF THE HEART is acknowledged with shouts of glee to the UNSEEN Santa.  The next package is opened, stockings contents are dumped into the floor, and within minutes the PRECIOUS FRUITS AND GIFTS ARE BEING CONSUMED, ENJOYED,  AND SHARED.

It struck me the other day, Christmas morning is a micro-lesson of a macro TRUTH!  We must go to the TREE (a cross on Calvary’s Hill) as a child, with faith the GIFTS we seek will be there.  We must not delay!  We like a child must grab the TREASURES with gusto, THANKING the GIVER of all GIFTS for His wonderful provision for eternal LIFE and the PRECIOUS FRUITS and GIFTS of His Spirit.  These are to be utilized and shared with JOY.

Unopened and unused gifts are worthless.  They benefit no one.  Sadly, these are often returned with a polite “no thank you,” because the gift did not meet our “need or expectation.”

This Christmas, the morning will be all to quiet.  The days of this spiritual lesson played out in technicolor in my living room are past.  The story of Christmas is now read, hopefully, in the homes of my children and grandchildren.  The days of unabashed JOY and THANKSGIVING have waned into too much adult reserved behavior.  SAD!!  Maybe, this year as we gather I will be the kid that storms the tree to find and receive my gifts.  Won’t they all be shocked to see this prim and proper Southern girl put enthusiasm come back into Christmas!  They will talk about it for years to come!!!  Next year will not be guaranteed.  It is now or possibly never.

Keith & Kristen Getty — O Children Come

https://youtu.be/lbFM47G0Xq8

Father, Lord God of Heaven,

THANK YOU for the TREE, GIFTS, FRUITS, TREASURES, JOY, and THE ONE whose BIRTH we celebrate.  Be born in me and mine I pray!

In the Name of Jesus I humbly pray,

Let it be so.

Yvonne Jones