From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
With the Christmas season starting up now is a good time to think about priorities during the holidays.
For some people, the stress of shopping and getting that perfect gift for the ones we love can lead to a lot of unwanted holiday angst.
May I ask you something?
What really is more important for you this Christmas?
Is it getting presents from the ones we love, or is it for the ones we love to “be present”?
I am at an age now that getting gifts from my family is not important.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate nice things, or the thoughtfulness that comes with receiving these gifts from them, but the real gift for me is time spent with them.
I cherish every moment I have with them knowing that life is busy.
God wants our presence with Him, too, and He is well aware of the fact that what we need most is His presence in our lives, even though many shun Him and turn away from Him.
Look at this rich promise found in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
God’s people knew that the most comforting thing for them was to know that God would be with them.
Many people looked this very verse up on the internet in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just knowing that God is walking with us through life, especially the tough times, can mean the world.
I don’t know about you, but I am planning to be more present with my family during the upcoming holiday season, emphasizing that over more presents under the tree.
I am also going to be praying that God’s presence with our family this season will be the most treasured gift this Christmas.
