The greatness of a man is not of the man. In all things he is given strength. Achievement, thought and breath are not of his own. Life is of God alone, and in this life there is given life, then light that they might see. The Light of men was borne of men, but begotten of God before all. I give now My light for this time of coming, that man in his borrowed strength would come to the banquet set out before him. The world and its pleasures pull life from limb, and pleasure drains from the eye. This is to be, that he who bows would do so in time, that eternity would hold his choice. The banquet of the King is not barren and its settings not as the earth, but great is the reward of those who choose what is hidden, not for the splendor, but for the desire of the One who invites, knowing in the heart that the pleasure of the creation is far less than He who creates. Your breath is for the charging forth, that you would choose the greater. Do not lose heart in the choosing. You are given strength as needed, and your lack is given in the strength of the Son. Have faith in He who has been sent, Jesus the Christ, and you will have strength for your choice.
John 3:17-18 (ESV) – For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Bottom Line: Careers, comforts and pleasures are the focus and goals of most of the world. Today we are reminded that although they are great gifts of God in our lives, they are not the ultimate gift. We have been given a temporary life to choose an eternal life with God. We choose this by deciding to make Jesus, God’s gift in flesh, Emmanuel, our Lord and Savior. Our own strength is insufficient to regard the things of the world as we are called to do – as the secondary blessings. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that to be true. This Christmas, He offers Himself as He did at the first Christmas, as the ultimate gift to the world, and as our personal gift of grace and strength for the journey to the great banquet table of the Father God. This year, as you give your gifts to others, truly and deeply, accept His.
