At Christmas we celebrate Christ’s birth, the greatest gift of all. Unlike other gifts that fade away, this gift reaches across time and barriers to the hearts of men, women, and children everywhere. We invite you to join us over the next few days in our “Gifts of Christmas” blog series as we examine what the Christmas season teaches us about living a more meaningful and productive life at home, at work, and in our community.

 

Christmas is the most wondrous time of the year. Loved ones come from near and far, children light up with expectancy for all the season has in store, hearts are full and more compassionate, pockets seem to be a little deeper for those less fortunate, and if you pay special attention even the scrooges of the world crack a smile every now and then! These are just some of the things that I relish about Christmas.

 

Still no matter how dear we hold onto these Christmas memories and traditions, there would be no holiday to celebrate if it were not for a baby boy that was born in a manger centuries ago. His parents called Him Jesus, but His Heavenly Father called him, Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” That first Christmas a miracle was born, and the babe became a man who through his obedience to His Father and eventual death on the cross became the catalyst for real, everlasting life change across generations, countries, cultural barriers, races, religions, politics… A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes did all that! As God’s son, His position won Him this special place in history, but His life and leadership is a powerful testimony of how you and I can live a life of purpose and meaning today in our personal and professional lives.

 

With Christmas God gave us the greatest gift – Himself. He walked among us, cared for us, taught us how to live, and gave us a way to live with Him eternally. One day, one birth, one life…Jesus changed the world forever. This is your one life. God has given you this day, your family, your business to glorify Him and to change the world for the better. Don’t waste a minute.

 

How could you live a life worthy of what has been entrusted to you? How can you use your position/role, gifts, trade, relationships to change your life and the lives of those around you for the better?