The Abundance of Things

And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."Luke 12:15

My cats aren't worried about being ready for Christmas. They haven't been out shopping and they aren't expecting any presents. They own nothing but the furs they wear and ask only for a warm place to sleep, a bowl of food, and the occasional taste of milk.

So, Christmas is just around the corner and, in my usual fashion, I feel as though I will fall short. But fall short of what? Short of my own expectations mostly, and that because I keep forgetting what the season is supposed to be about. It isn't about acquiring possessions, either for myself or for others.

Christmas is about sharing the love of God because He shared His love with us one dark night over two thousand years ago. He clothed His word in flesh and sent it to us in the form of a tiny baby. This is the reason we celebrate, because He gives us hope in a world otherwise filled with hopelessness. There is reason to smile, there is reason to sing, there is reason to celebrate, and there is great cause to be thankful.

There isn't much I need and there isn't much my children need, but there is a world full of needy people, people who need to know the real reason Jesus came. I need Him, my children need Him, my family needs Him, and we need to share His message. The love of Christ is one possession that grows the more we give it away, so this Christmas I pray that God will enable me to give His love away in a way I have not known before. Hold on, the ride has just begun.!