The Month Between

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." 

Ephesians 1:18-19

Christmas is now 11 months away (I heard that sigh!). 

When I was a little girl, Christmas always seemed to be 11 months away, until Thanksgiving, when the promise of Christmas began fulfilling itself.  Lists, lights popping on here and there in the city, gifts displayed behind glass store windows, and  televised Christmas specials all pointed to nail-biting arrival of Christmas.  Finally, about a week before Christmas the tree went up and our hopes soared that the day was really, truly and finally arriving.

All this Spirit of the Season began in earnest at Thanksgiving, launched at a dinner table stacked high with our favorite foods and encircled by familiar faces.  Our gratitude for God's blessings opened the gate to the true Spirit of Christmas, the blessings of giving and receiving.  The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas was filled with giving to charities, missions, and to families who had less than we did.  

Then, in the blink it took for one year to transform into a new one, January hit like an Arctic blast of reality until February brought the warm fuzzies of Valentine's day. 

Christ's return is closer than ever before, although it may seem like ages away.  We're living in the month between Thanksgiving and His return.  Today we can choose to look at what we have, not at what we want. Today we can choose to minimize our needs and maximize our blessings; to consider what and how we'll give rather than what we want or need.  Gratitude begets giving and giving begets joy. 

While I've re-stored the holiday decorations in the attic, I'm calling on the "surpassing greatness of His (God's) power"  to leave the joy and generosity of the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas shining in my heart and our home until Christ returns for the greatest gift-opening ceremony of eternity.  I
  

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory 

that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, 

since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2nd Corinthians 4:17-18

Father, show us how to give like Christ gave, in Your will and power.  Open our eyes to see our "momentary troubles" compared to eternity.  Mold our hearts to be generous.  May we not store Your Spirit with the manger scene. Empower us to let You live through us day by day, moment by moment.   Thank You for every blessing this day has brought and will bring.  Blue skies and sunshine between the gray days - that's what today has brought.  Food in the fridge, health in the body, family in the home or at the other end of the phone call, friends we can depend on, income with which to honor You, love in every direction, opportunities to grow in You, mustard seeds of faith You'll water, and joy in Your Presence wherever we are.  

In the Name of Jesus, our Gift, the Gift above all others!  Come soon, Lord Jesus!