A Christmas Virtue: Receiving a Gift

Did you know that receiving a gift is in itself a gift that we give to our gift giver? I know it sounds complicated but take a second to read that statement over. Simply put, the way we embrace the gift someone has given us is a gift that we are able to give the giver as they enjoy our smile, our sincere expression of joy, and our words of gratitude.

I am proud to say that this year I graciously accepted every single gift I received with love and thankfulness. It wasn't always this way. However this year I did things a little differently and made a concerted effort to thank the gift giver and enjoy the thoughtfulness whether I liked the gift or not. What helped me was the prompting I received from the Holy Spirit to pray before opening my gifts. This enabled me to be thankful for everything I received simply because someone took the time to think of me, spend their time at a store, invest their energy wrapping a gift for me, and selflessly share with me a portion of their resources that perhaps they could've used on themselves. That sounds like more than enough to give thanks.

My gifts this year were all amazing. I thank God for the generosity my mom demonstrates year after year in that her joy comes from giving to us. I hope to someday be that kind of a giver. My husband also gave me some pretty wonderful presents. However my favorite gift was not an actual gift at all. Instead it was how he listened to my cues and went for the things that I really wanted like the work-out attire he carefully picked out for me and the time he spent in finding gifts that he knew would be just right for me.

On a scale of 1 - 10 how do you fair you did in receiving your gifts? Maybe there was a major disappointment, maybe someone lost a job this year and was not able to financially give you what they would've liked or perhaps you feel like what they got it all wrong and gave you a gift that doesn't suit you. May I suggest that you thank them publicly and when the time is right consider speaking to them privately to reach a resolution. However keep in mind that the most important thing is not that we receive everything that was on our wish list this year but rather that we were able to make those that took their time and invested in us feel like it was well worth it. It's not so much about the actual gift as it is about the attitude of our heart that makes all the difference.

Here I am receiving one of the gifts my husband lovingly picked out for me.

My husband's smile after receiving his new guitar pedal from his Secret Santa, Vito.

Here is one of my favorite expressions this Christmas: the face of shock Danielle had when she unwrapped her new camera.

Once reality set in, she couldn't help but cry tears of joy.

Here is our new photographer enjoying her new gift.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

All I Want for Christmas

How many of us can say that we have everything we want for Christmas? Probably a handful of people and I guarantee that they are in the minority. Unfortunately with Christmas come the long wish lists and endless opportunities to fill the void with anything we can get our hands on. The only problem is that those material things bring temporary joy that will surely dissipate before the credit card statement is paid off.

The truth of the matter is that we live and are part of one of the most consumer driven, materialistic societies with an unquenchable desire for more. Have you ever sat down and wondered what God thinks of us running around the time formerly known as Christmastime from store to store in search of the perfect gift? Is he pleased when the one day we should be commemorating the greatest gift we could have ever received, Jesus Christ, is marginalized into an unoffensive greeting at the checkout counter, "Happy Holidays."

I can pretty confidently say that he thinks we've missed the target. Rather than focusing on the precious gift of eternal life we have in Christ, we are running around in search of something to fill our insatiable hunger for the ugly four letter word: MORE. I want more clothes, I want more gadgets, I want more _____ (you fill in the blank).

I am embarrassed to admit that I am no different from everyone else. I too, get impatient waiting in long lines, am terribly irritated by the traffic Christmas brings to Miami and am appalled at how short our attention span has dwindled away and rather than enjoy God's greatest gift we are restlessly looking for more. With our actions, I too say, "It's not enough. I want more."

This Christmas I want to be able to truly reflect on the greatest gift I received almost 10 years ago, the gift of salvation. I want my heart to break for those who are literally perishing and share the good news with them. I want the Lord to invade every part of my life until I am burdened to live an unselfishly devoted life to Christ by serving others rather than looking for others to serve me. After all the greatest man to ever walk this earth did not make a majestic entrance, he was born in a manger and came to serve. May His life serve as an example to all of us today.

Dear God,

Forgive me for the many times that I have made Christmas about me when it's all about you. Show me how I can share your perfect gift with others. Maybe it's with a smile, a hug or maybe there is something that I can willingly give up for another family. Lord, it is truly my desire to honor you with my life but it is so easy to get distracted and consumed with the things of this world. May I feel a huge dissatisfaction with anything this world has to offer. May my heart, soul, and mind shout in expectant adoration, "Give me more of You. You are all I want."

In Jesus' name,

AMEN

You can read about the birth of Jesus here.

The Gift

So yesterday was the last day of class and although most of the students I teach come from very low socio economic statuses I saw how they made an effort to give their teacher a gift. It wasn't so much about the value of the gift but about the thought they put into it.

One of my students made me a robot mask out of a napkin. I was so tempted to throw it in the trash (if I were to keep everything they gave me I would need to rent a storage room just to store everything). I told him, "I really like what you made for me but I'm not really going to use it...would you like it back?" His response was, "Put it on your refrigerator." That really touched me because this is one of the three boys in my classroom that did not get to participate in the McDonald's party (first year I've ever excluded anyone) because of misbehavior. I am tough on him and eventhough I discipline him he still loves me. As a matter of fact, I think he loves me more because of it.

It's funny isn't it because I relate it to our God. He loves us so much that when we make wrong choices we pay the consequences, yet he never stops loving us. And the more we have messed up in the past, the more we will love him simply because the more he has rescued us.

You see, I am not perfect and I did not make all the right choices in life. I know what it feels like to mess up but I also know God's forgiveness. I am so glad that I am forgiven (past, present and future). What an awesome gift God has given us.

I encourage you this Christmas to remember the real meaning behind Christmas. I know how hard it can be as we get bombarded with invitations to family gatherings, fight traffic and lines at the malls to find the perfect gift for that special someone and consume more sweets in one week than we have all year long (at least it feels that way for me) but take some time to think about the real gift, Jesus. He didn't come into this world as he deserved to come, as the King but he came as an innocent baby, pure and blameless and took our sins upon himself so that we would have salvation.

Jesus is the real gift this Christmas.

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:9-12

Jazz Under the Stars

One of the greatest things about Christmas is the music we get to enjoy. Join us as we gather by the pool to listen to some classic Christmas tunes played in a fresh and exciting way. Complimentary appetizers and warm beverages will be served.

What: "Jazz Under the Stars" by the Christmas Jazz Quartet
When: Saturday, December 13th

8 – 10:00 pm
Where: Hyatt Place
3655 NW 82 Ave
Doral, Fl 33166