Eutychus and His Kin

For some people Christmas is a time of getting. The younger generation will count the number of presents received and compare it to someone else. There is a breathless anticipation for the first gift to be retrieved from under the tree; atfer that there is a "no holds barred' mentality as the wrappings are torn from the gifts. After all the presents have been unwrapped and the gift wrapping lies in a pile, it looks like an explosion in a paper factory!

I say this not to disparage the joy and grace of giving and receiving. But Christmas is also a time for reflection and contemplation. For some the reflection may include recognizing how God has blessed them throughout the year. For others it is a lonley time, because it is a reminder of a tragic event or loss that occurred during a Christmas past.

Did you know our hearts come in wrapping? Our hearts can become wrapped with the thought of how many gifts we might recieve; or it might be wrapped in grief due to a significant loss; or it may be wrapped in the darkness of indifference; it could even be tightly wrapped in a tradition that prevents us from true worship.

I pray that this Christmas, before you reach for a present under the tree, you will take the time to remove the trappings of your heart and give the greatest gift of all - your heart to that tiny baby in the manger, Jesus Christ.

Running with you (Hebrews 12:1) Eutychus