“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29
Greetings my friends, it is once again Christmas time in our community here in Fairfield Texas. Our schedules are already being packed full of Holiday parties, Church events, Christmas gatherings and much more. I’m sure that many of you, like myself, have been pursuing the various online and local markets for that perfect gift for someone this season.
Every year Christmas time seems to just sneak up on us, which is a surprise considering some of us have been decorating since November 1st! But it never fails, we are once again inundated with the events of this season and it can seem pretty overwhelming at times. However, maybe we are forgetting some important details.
For this Season of Advent (that’s Christmas in fancy church lingo) I am going to be praying for several gifts over our community. Each devotional this year will be about that gift and its importance. This week I am praying for the gift of perspective within our community.
As I mentioned earlier, we can sometimes feel overwhelmed at the busyness of this season, but perhaps that is because we do not have the right perspective. Paul’s letter to the Romans states, “the gifts of God are irrevocable.” What this means is that our efforts to bring cheer, love, joy, hope and peace to others this year are irrevocable gifts! Such things only truly come from God. The memories we provide, the charity we bestow, and the love we share are all gifts that will remain steadfast through the most difficult of trials.
Brothers and sisters, this Season is once again our time as Christians to display the all encompassing love of Jesus Christ. Each card we write, gift we give, word of kindness uttered, and meal cooked is a timeless gift of the message of Christmas. The message that hope has come to this world through a humble babe that will save us from the calamities of ourselves and this world.
In the book “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, Christmas is described as; “the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” This season has a way, more so than most, of bringing us together if we allow it. Let us retain that perspective of Holy Community as we journey together once again to the Manger.
Praying for Perspective this Advent Season.
Pastor Mike
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Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
