You’re just as big or small as your vision is, and if you’ve a mind to work and make something of yourself, you can do it.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Daybreakers)

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.”
–1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT)
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This time of the year it is easy to envy others. The world seems to have more to offer: the parties, the spiked egg nog, the drinks. Then there are the big spenders, the stores telling you to spend more than your means.
God calls us to a life in a temporal world that is characterized by faith. Romans 1:17, states, “This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'” (NLT) We are to be zealous in doing this walking in the fear of the Lord.
Take a look at Proverbs 23:17-18, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” The sinner has hope only in this life and in what he is doing. Tomorrow he may have a hangover; tomorrow he may be broke–there is no hope.
I have heard it said many times, “that he is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.” That may be true, only partially. It is more true to say of most Christians that they, “are so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good.” Our treasure is to be in heaven, yet we crave the pleasures of earth. We much prefer temporal satisfactions rather than the rewards in heaven. Christians, if not careful, will throw a pity-party for themselves and envy the wicked. However, they must remember that they are called to live by a different set of rules–God’s Word.
It is true that the Christian will be disciplined by God for something sinners do with applause from others. So, be careful this holiday season not to get caught up in the “glamour” of the world. Become more “heavenly minded.”
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Christmas Thought:
“Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide-open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years… Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.”
–George Matthew Adams

I rarely give money outside my church. There are a couple of organizations that I know well that I will give to, but at Christmas I am apt to give to the Salvation Army outside a store. I started to go up to one and all she was saying was “Happy Holidays.” Now in this more conservative climate of Christmas, especially here in Texas, I expected from the Salvation Army a “Merry Christmas.” Let me tell you, they did not get my quarter this year.
Listen, all of creation changed with the birth of Christ. Through His life we see the heart of the heavenly Father. Through His death we see the love for mankind by the heavenly Father. Through His resurrection we see the power and the victory over sin and the grave. Think for a few minutes this Christmas on those gifts.

Thieves must not be permitted to escape the consequences of their deeds… . To the violent, violence is the only argument they understand. Justice they understand, but only when it is administered from strength.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)

“The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.”
–Proverbs 21:7 (NLT)
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“God’s terrors are mercies to the repentant; God’s mercies are terrors to the impenitent.”
–Albert Barnes

This is the time of year when everyone has the opportunity to do good and to be good. This is the time of “good cheer” and merriment. Man can do good to others with just a smile, a nod of the head, or the words of “Merry Christmas.” Even with the sin nature, most people really want to do good, but cannot find their way. They may do good “things” but most of the time the motive is selfish. They will give a present with selfish motives of one sort or another.
I really like what Dallas Willard wrote, “Love does not consist of acts and projects but is a pervasive condition of vision, joy, and love in which we habitually reside.” Love is a condition; a way of life, a part of a person’s character. Doing acts and projects may come from love but in doing them they are not love. Love is not the giving of flowers or even chocolate. Love is the person and because of who they are they give.
Someone has said, rightly, that “God is love, but love is not God.” When you look and ponder that you can see that there is a difference. There is much more to God than love; you must take in His complete character, the natural attributes and the moral attributes.
Jesus came into this world because God loved mankind and needed to provide the perfect sacrifice for sins. While Jesus walked this earth He dealt with the problem of evil and good. He had to deal with the issues of the day. He did not theorize about life and the way people lived, but “plunged immediately into the guts of human existence.” (Willard)
This Christmas take the opportunity to do good unto all men. Do not make it a show, just do it. Then realize that this should be the way of life for the Christian every day, not just Christmas.
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Christmas Thought:
“It is the one season of the year when we can lay aside all gnawing worry, indulge in sentiment without censure, assume the carefree faith of childhood, and just plain ‘have fun.’ Whether they call it Yuletide, Noel, Weinachten, or Christmas, people around the earth thirst for its refreshment as the desert traveller for the oasis.”
–D.D. Monroe

Don’t let Christmas go by without thinking about the purpose of the day! The Scripture declares, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV) However, this an extra special day the Lord has made. It was a day He made for Himself as well as mankind. This is the day that the works of salvation combine with the birth of the Savior.

In that country, a man saddled his own broncs and fought his own battles, and the measure of his manhood was that he did what needed to be done, and did it well, and without shirking.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)

“Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.”
–Proverbs 21:25 (NLT)
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Annie and I over the years, almost half a century now, have put more than a few miles in travel. We both like it and I prefer to drive most places. I have been across country a few times by train and a few more times by bus. Flying is okay, but I hate all the hassle. It used to be fun, but the last few times have not been enjoyable. I remember when people used to fly they would dress up, but now, well it’s a whole different story.
A couple of millennium ago there was a couple who took a very famous trip. A decree came down from the emperor that all had to go back to the town of their ancestry and register. Caesar Augustus would be formulating a new tax system and all had to be registered. Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Now, no one knows the actual time of their journey. Some say it would normally be a 4-5 day journey, but she was ready to deliver. They probably traveled a little slower due to her condition. The trip probably took, on the short edge about 7 days, but maybe up to around 10. Mary would probably have walked most of the way, but she might also have gone part of the way on a donkey.
Reminds me of a story. When Annie was pregnant with Shauna, our first born, she was ready to deliver, but no baby. Shauna, already was showing signs of being stubborn (who would believe?). After about five days I decided that we would take a drive over the Rampart Range road. I figured that maybe the washboards in the road might do something to shake that baby loose. Didn’t happen. It was another couple of days.
There was another group of travelers: the Magi or Wise Men. We do not know exactly where they were from or even if they were from the same city. We know they came from the East. Many believe they came from Babylon since there could have been those who studied the stars and also knew biblical prophecy. Remember, the nation of Judah was exiled to Babylon and Daniel was in the court there.
This travelers would have journeyed in more luxury than Mary and Joseph. I don’t know how wealthy they were, but to see the gifts they brought they definitely were not poor. Depending on the route and how many were in the party it would have taken anywhere from one month (and that would push it) to three months. No matter how much luxury they had when they traveled it still not compare to the life at their home. For people of their social status it wasn’t that easy of a journey.
Speaking of the Magi, Annie gave me this little thought last week. Something that you can ponder this Christmas season.
“Wise men came with the treasures of earth in their hands…and left with the Treasure of Heaven in their hearts.” (unknown)
Take this opportunity to treasure what the heavenly Father gave to the earth and to each individual. Don’t let this Christmas season pass you by.
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Christmas Thought:
“So if a Christian is touched only once a year, the touching is still worth it, and maybe on some given Christmas, some quiet morning, the touch will take.”
–Harry Reasoner

As I have written the past week or so, Christmas is more than a one day experience. It should be something we experience daily, the wonder of the Incarnation, the coming of the Christ-child. Maybe one day it will take!