Love. Seems to be a bit elusive these days. Yes, even during the Christmas season. Irritated shoppers. Kid’s squawking in Santa’s lap. The office Scrooge. Heated family exchanges. Holiday traveling. Where’s the Christmas love?

The entire message of Christmas is that of love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son…” (John 3:16, emphasis mine). Christmas isn’t just about a cute little 8-pound, 6-ounce baby being born in a manger on a silent night in a little town of Bethlehem! Christmas reminds us of the Son of God, who for the love of you and I left his Father’s side to make a way for us to know and experience relationship with him. Christmas is a love story. A story of giving.

Are we reflecting that love story? Take some time this Christmas and ponder how you are sharing the Christmas love. Turn off all the noise. Sit in the quiet. Be still. Take some time to read the Bible. Pray. Think…

• Where can I give of my time? Where can I serve? Who needs me to volunteer? How can I help? Who do I need to sit with?
• Where can I give of my resources? Who do I need to give a gift to? Where do I need to be generous? How can I share of the blessings God has given to me?
• Where can I give of talent? Who needs what I can do? How can I help? Where can I lend a hand?
• Where can I give forgiveness? Where do I need to lay down my weapons? Who do I need to embrace? What do I need to surrender?
• Where can I give the message of Christmas? Who can I invite to church with me? Who can I share the story of St. Nicholas with? How can I share the Christmas story?

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.                                                  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (The Message)