THE BEST GIFT

FREEDOM to choose LOVE itself, the BEST GIFT ever given. Our Lord gave us the choice to LOVE as we are loved. He does not force His love on us. Letting go of our desire to be loved by others frees the hostage of our desire and us, the warden. True freedom is felt when one knows that people and circumstances are not controlled by our desires. Cruelty exists because of the desire to control another. God loves us even as we doubt and resist His existence. As if a curtain was pulled back, I saw what was stirring the stars....angels! Yes, angels, angels, everywhere. Looking up to the celestial lights, I saw the flapping of wings as I trembled, resonating with the singing. At first, only one angel spoke. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Then, the curtain was drawn back even more and the sky was filled with angels! "Glory to God in the highest!" they sang, "and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." The flapping of their wings stirred the air, it whipped our hair, and blew all fear from our minds and hearts! WOW! All stubborn resistence to surrender my mind, body and soul was blown away! Accepting Jesus as the only life saving companion quenched my desire to be known and loved! Our loving Father does not force His love, He waits and longs for us to choose Him. His love, kindness, humbleness, and selflessness, teaches that the only control must be that of ourselves. Yes, we must edit thoughts and control the tongue before words can pierce the heart of another. Remembering that Jesus, the King of Kings, humbly washed the feet of his disciples the night before he died for all of us to give us the FREEDOM to choose His love over whatever the world has to offer. This Christmas we can choose to be the reason of a smile in another, and know the joy of "giving in" and "giving up" of "letting go" and "watching God". Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will de done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. AMEN --- Our Father reveals all that we need to know to prosper and enjoy a good life on earth. "I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of His hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and the Name of His Son? Tell me if you know!" His Name is Lord Jesus Christ. Father, Son, Holy Ghost, the One who departed from His throne to come down and walk among us, to show us, to teach us, to die for us, to return and prove His victory over death, and to give us THE GIFT of eternal life. We possess an internal GPS for accurate direction. GOD'S PLANNED SALVATION (GPS) for us is the best Christmas gift we can receive! Oh Lord forgive us for refusing Your invitation to give You our minds, hearts and ears. Because You are Holy, and we forget that we were created as valuable vessels of thy Holy Spirit, we seek recognition of others when You have already affirmed and provided the truth of who we are. "Blessed be the Lord...according to all that He promised; not one word has failed for all His promises." 1 Kings 8:56 Lord we ask You to reveal Yourself as we search scripture for how to OBEY. May we find YOU, who art the BEST GIFT of the season. AMEN