Welcome to December – The season of love and gift-giving

Woah!!!Happy New month!!!We’re already in December, the 12^th (last) month of the year 2014. December was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar. It obtained its name from the Latin word “decem” which means tenth. It still kept its name even when it became the twelfth month. As usual, it ushers in theseason of love and gift-giving. It’s the first month of winter and is often marked by rain, snow and cold weather. The 1^st day of winter is on either December 21or 22. This season is associated with Christmas; there are Christmas decorations, sales, musicals and parties as well as engaging in Christmas shopping’s.

We also step into a new season of Advent. Advent is a season in Christian calendar of waiting, expecting, and hoping. It last for about 4 weeks. It begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. The word “Advent” comes from Latin word “adventus” which means “coming” or”visit.”In this season, we keep in mind both advents of Christ, the first in Bethlehem (His birth) and the second coming which we anticipate and prepare for. Advent gets less attention than Christmas, perhaps because it’s not taught in scripture, some associate it with Roman Catholicism and secular culture or new found Churches ignore it because they do not make money of it. However, Advent prepares us for Christmas.

In Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ, the priceless gift. We Thank God for His greatest gift in His son, Jesus; celebrate our love for Christ and His atoning sacrifice for us.  We all enjoy and appreciate giving and receiving presents and gifts. The true gifts may be in us, the giving of the riches of our hearts and minds which have greater worth than presents bought at the store. Among the greatest gift is the gift of love. At this time of Christmas when we give and receive gifts, let us remember that God gave His son as a love offering and His son gave His life (love sacrifice)that each of us might have the gift of eternal life(John 3:16). But God gave His gift to the world, His begotten son and this divine son born into the world gave Himself as the greatest Gift of all time. Knowing the Christmas story is good, celebrating the season is wonderful, but knowing and accepting Jesus as a Savior and the Lord of your life is what the season is all about. Do you know Jesus as the Son of God? Do you believe Jesus live a perfect life and died for us and rise to life on the third day? You should know that Jesus is the Savior of the world! If you don’t, Christmas is a good time to make that decision.

Discipleship Digest reflects on: Jesus, God’s greatest gift (copy attached). Hopefully this reflection will bring home the true meaning of God’s love to humanity, through His greatest gift, in His son Jesus Christ and the expectation of His second coming. This greatest gift reveals the Giver, God and the magnitude of the gift. Digest encourages you to give God, a very special gift for the season; give to other people especially those that God has put on your way (your family and friends) and those who have nobody to give them. True Christmas is the gift of oneself with a grateful heart not begrudgingly. Give a surprise gift of service to God, family, friends and unfriendly friends. Your gifts make no meaning if not given out of love. Make those around us feel Christmas, because through them we can share our love and reach the unreached. Kindly pass this reflection to at least 10 people. We do not take your readership and support for granted. We thank you and pray God blessings upon you and loved ones. Remember God is too big for you to fail. Be bold, strong and keep anticipating. Also know you’re too blessed to be stressed. Merry Christmas and fruitful New Year to  you and yours,  Amen.