Christmas-full

As I walked into church in my hometown Sunday morning, I felt full. Full to the brim. Full to overflowing. It’s been a while since I felt full. Emphasis on felt, because I know it is just a feeling and not defining, but in a season of my life where feeling full hasn’t been the norm, it was good to feel full.

My heart was full to be back in South Georgia. To be home. To be with my family. And yes, you guessed it, to be in the country. And then to walk into church and see a diverse group of people celebrating the long-awaited birth of their Savior together – the full spilled over. It was good to be worshiping together in the house of God.

The message focused on posturing ourselves to receive gifts from God. We were reminded that He is a loving Father that longs to give good gifts to his children, both physical and spiritual, but we must ask. Ask I did that day, but even in my asking I found that what I was continually asking for was more of Him.

Just give me you Lord Jesus. Just give me you.

Yes, sure, there are other things I want or “need” in this next season, but ultimately what I need is more of Him. May the physical and temporary needs, wants, and desires never outweigh my longing to simply have more of Him.

The ultimate gift is Jesus.

God gifts us lots of other good gifts, but He gave it all in the form of his Son, Jesus, to give us life when we deserved death. That is the gift that the Father has offered to us that we do not deserve, nor could we ever earn.

 “Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee”

Let us continually find our fullness in Him. Today and everyday. This season and every season.

Merry Christmas!