Sunday, December 30, 2007
Today at worship is the first opportunity many people will have had since Christmas Day to gather with their friends. What will you talk about?
Naturally the children will ask one another, “What did you get for Christmas?” There will be excited sharing, and perhaps some boasting. In some cases a child who was quite happy with her Christmas gifts yesterday may suddenly feel unhappy with them when they’re compared to others.
What about the adults? What will you report? Will you talk about the gifts you got, the food you ate, the number of guests you had, how tired you are?
Isaiah says, “I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised.” What would you talk about if you listed “the kindnesses of the Lord”? Looking back at this festive week, can you identify the evidence of God’s kindness to you? The greatest deed for which He is to be praised took place long before this week, but it is the root of every good gift you enjoyed. God’s Son came to you, and because He did, we can celebrate with great joy and have love to share with abandon.
Isaiah told of the Lord’s kindness by writing down His prophecy. Perhaps as you write thank-you letters and cards this week you could tell how kind the Lord has been to you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning, but my gratitude is less apparent than Your gifts. Move me, by Your Spirit, to tell of Your greatest kindness to me, the kindness I see in Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
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