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Are you ready for Christmas? A question that I seem to come across quite often this month. And my usual response is ‘Getting there’.
There is a lot going on for most of us at this time. I feel a bit more organized as I got my hubby’s and son’s gifts sorted out. I personally do not enjoy shopping and add the crowds in the store at this time and I avoid the shops like the plague. Online shopping is a boon to people like me, but I had to physically go to the store yesterday for some of my son’s gifts. The only motivation is the joy on my son’s face when he sees what I got him. It ended up not being as bad as I thought, either people are more organized than me and are sorted with their shopping or most are resorting to online shopping.
As the gifts lie under the Christmas tree, and as we read through the chapter in Mathew that detail out the birth of Jesus during our advent readings, we get to read about the gifts of Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh brought by the wise men.
Mathew 2:11 “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Last Sunday, at church we had what is called a family service where the Sunday school kids get front and center and sing Christmas songs, share relevant verses and look adorable. And we did have an animated Christmas story play for the children. Again, along with Jesus’s birth, there were the three gifts by the wise men. My attention was drawn to the gifts. It is such a part of the story that most of us would be familiar with the gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men. But these gifts although mentioned every time the story is retold never overshadows the true message of the story, the birth of our Saviour. And I was reminded that although gifts are indeed such a big part of our celebration, may it never take precedence over the main message of Christmas. When we read the verse above, we see that the magi worshipped Jesus first and only then did they open their gifts and present them. For each of us, let our worship of Jesus be first and foremost before the gifts.
God Bless.
💕Amen, Manu! You are right on 🎯
My family and I have a Christmas morning tradition, where we place the baby Jesus in the manger, read our verses, and then we close with prayer before they are allowed to open their presents. Even back when my kids believed in Santa, they knew that Jesus came first🥇 in our household‼️
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We do the same too Tam. We read the Bible, pray and only then open the gifts. This was something we did to ensure that our son would understand that Jesus was why we celebrated Christmas and not the gifts.
Blessings 💙
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I’m sorry to say, I asked someone the cliche question today – “Are you ready for Christmas?” In my bolder days, I would ask, “So, what are you giving Jesus for His birthday?” If they look stumped or say they don’t know what He wants, I’d tell them, “He wants you,” as the elevator doors open and we go our separate ways.
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That is one bold question Ann. I do not think I will ask that- not that bold but as far as possible I try and always mention attending church.
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Hello Manu, thank you for your deep reflection regarding the meaning of Christmas. I’ve never thought about this phrase, “The magi worshipped Jesus first and only then did they open their gifts and present them. For each of us, let our worship of Jesus be first and foremost before the gifts. ” This is amazing! Thank you so much for your insight during this beautiful season! God bless you!
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Thank you Heather. God bless you 🙏🏽.
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Your writing reminds me of the saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” The holiday can become stressful when the focus is on gifts and other material things but may we remember the true meaning and importance of Christmas, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. ✝️❤️
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I know that saying has become quite common but it has truth in it. And yes, I find that when we get Jesus out of the equation we tend to get frazzled easily when our focus is on the gifts and such.
Blessings Dawn 💙💐
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I am with you on presenting ourselves first!!! I don’t know how many years I have said this, but in every Christmas card I write, I always end with “may Jesus’s presence be your greatest Christmas present.” May we present ourselves to Him holy and blameless. I love the heart you have for Jesus and your family! Love you, Manu! Thank you for this post!!!
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I love what you write in your Christmas cards. Thank you Mandy and I echo the same thoughts for you. Blessings sister 💙💐
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I love this reminder. Too often all the gifts, decorations, festivities, etc seem to take our attention during this season. May we remember the true reason and keep Jesus as our primary focus. Beautifully written, Manu! God bless!
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Amen 🙏🏽. Thank you my friend. Have a wonderful weekend 💐
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I love that! We are really stressing with our 4 year old that we celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas time. He’s all into the presents and hot cocoa and pretty much everything associated with this season, but we keep stressing that it is about Jesus first and foremost. We have a little advent devotional for kids that I try to read to him every night too (although I confess that I’m behind a few days!).
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You are doing the right thing Colleen. Even if it does not register for him yet, as he gets older it will. What he will see is the way and your hubby prioritise Jesus even if he is yet to understand it all.
Blessings to you. Have a wonderful weekend 💙💐
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Amen! Christ is why we celebrate Christmas! Blessings, Manu!
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Amen 🙏🏽. Blessings to you Cindy.
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Amen! Let our worship of Jesus be first on Christmas morning; and every morning. It’s a great way to start the day. 🙂
Manu, I also am an online shopper. It makes my life easier; I can do it anytime. Blessings!💗🎄🌺
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Absolutely. I totally get the relief in online shopping in comparison to going to the stores.
Have a good weekend Jeanne 💙💐
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Thanks for sharing the glimpse of your Christmas so far and for your reflection. Happy Celebrations! 💖
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Merry Christmas to you too Crystal.
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Good post Manu. You and your blogs draw me closer to our Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas ❤
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Aww thank you for your kind words Marla 🤗
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Where did you go! I miss you. I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday Manu! 💗 Hapoy New Year!
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Hey Marla, did not plan to take some time off but ended up doing so. Having some down time with family. Hope your Christmas was lovely.
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Excellent! You go girl! 🚶♀️ 🙂❤
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Amen! Jesus before the gifts! He is the main reason for the season! I’m one of those also who doesn’t enjoy shopping during the Christmas season. It’s usually so crowded with blaring music over the intercoms, equaling stressed nerves. I’m glad you got through all that. Happy New Year!
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Happy new year and I hope you had a lovely Christmas.
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May gifts never take precedence over our worship.
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Always 🙏🏽
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Happy new year Manu. May God grant you and your loved ones an amazing year ahead
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Happy new year to you too. I pray you have a blessed year ahead.
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Amen
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