December 12 Jesus Christ: The First Christmas Gift Galatians 4:4
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The BAPTIST TABERNACLE CHOIR will be performing our CHRISTMAS CANTATA, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2024, during the 11:00 Worship Hour. You are invited to attend and CELEBRATE the REASON for the SEASON! Ya’ll Come and CELEBRATE with us … *
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Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4)
Christmas is a time, for many, to give gifts, receive gifts, and to wrap and unwrap the presents of the season. Many years ago, Mama had the idea that she was going to order all of our Christmas presents from the Sears & Roebuck Store Catalog, and the items would be delivered to our door. In 1966, this was a novelty, not the norm, like today! So, we waited for the delivery of these presents, and the day came that the boxes arrived. Well, for some reason, I was not allowed to be the first to open any of the boxes! Anyway, Mama opened the first box, and that is when the trouble started! Mama let out a loud cry, and I remember her saying, “Oh No,” over and over again! What were supposed to be shirts, pants, socks, ties, shoes, and various Christmas gifts, were sheets! Several pairs of Bed Sheets! Mama immediately got on the phone, asked the neighbor who was using the phone, to hurry up, so that she could call Sears & Roebuck (We were on a “party Line”). After much conversation, somewhere, there was a motel that was enjoying our Christmas gifts, while we were tolerating 2 dozen sheets! I can still hear Mama telling the story that the Sears assistant shared with her. “Mrs. Brock, we regret the inconvenience of this mistake that this has caused for you but think about how disappointed the motel has to be, trying to make up beds with your shirts and pants!” The situation was ultimately handled, and all was well! Mama used this experience to teach a lesson. She would state that we tend to make gifts and the exchanging of gifts the central and focal point of Christmas, and forget the very first gift, and that is God’s Son, Jesus Christ! HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! So, if you don’t receive the correct gift this season, remember the best and the “First” gift, JESUS CHRIST! THANK YOU, GOD, FOR LOVING US ENOUGH TO SEND THE GREATEST GIFT EVER, JESUS CHRIST! Stay Strong, Stay Focused …THE BEST IS YET TO BE!