For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. – Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession —to the praise of his glory.
– Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. – Ephesians 1:7b-10

Christmas points toward the birth of Jesus and his second coming. Jesus is God's gift to us. The way we celebrate Christmas is with gifts. You might be thinking of all the gifts you hope to receive. You may want better gifts than you received last year. Those desires can lead us to be short sighted, wanting things that are temporary instead of what’s lasting. The Apostle Paul reframed gift giving when he quoted Jesus’ saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” May what Jesus says allow us to see that the better gift is the one that is given.

Christmas points toward the birth of Jesus and his second coming. Jesus is God's gift to us. The way we celebrate Christmas is with gifts. You might be thinking of all the gifts you hope to receive. You may want better gifts than you received last year. Those desires can lead us to be short sighted, wanting things that are temporary instead of what’s lasting. The Apostle Paul reframed gift giving when he quoted Jesus’ saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” May what Jesus says allow us to see that the better gift is the one that is given.

Our immediate problems blind our ability to see God’s future promises. In the moment your problems seem bigger than God’s promises. In the moment we magnify the pain of our problems. In the moment our wants and our desires grow larger than life. It’s called focalism. Focalism: focuses our mind on one thing and blurs out everything else.

There is a reason why there is not a Bigger Barns Church of Christ. With Jesus as the head of the church and we as the bride. He gave himself up for her (us) to present her (us) radiant and spotless. As Jesus’ bride, we are to be as generous as Jesus. We share not only the gospel but our very lives. Sharing our lives means sharing our possessions. We don’t store up treasures for ourselves, we store up treasures for God.

Christmas points toward the birth of Jesus and his second coming. Jesus is God's gift to us. The way we celebrate Christmas is with gifts. You might be thinking of all the gifts you hope to receive. You may want better gifts than you received last year. Those desires can lead us to be short sighted, wanting things that are temporary instead of what’s lasting. The Apostle Paul reframed gift giving when he quoted Jesus’ saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” May what Jesus says allow us to see that the better gift is the one that is given.