The most important present you can ever give to another – and even to yourself – is the gift of love. Without strings. Without conditions. Without judgments.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

The ingenious plan

Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me."

Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that your're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him." With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!" And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting "as if." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing. When she didn't return, Crane called. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"

"Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him." Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established not so much by fervent promise as often repeated deeds.

Love is given to you by God to give away

In the book of Galatians is a list of "spiritual fruit." These 9 fruits are what is produced in the life of someone who has received Christ and is filled with the Holy Spirit. This spiritual fruit is produced in you so you can give it to others.

What is love?

The Bible explains what love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

In other words, it's what you do for others

“Love is the fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.” – Mother Teresa

Love-letter lament:

Dearest Jimmy,

No words could ever express the great unhappiness I've felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you'll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! Yours forever, Marie.

P.S., And congratulations on winning the state lottery. 

 Give your holiday anxieties and worries to God

Here’s another Christmas gift for you to give to yourself. And, it could be good for others around you, too.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Pet. 5:7 NLT)

It's already 10 days into the holiday season and so many are getting stressed out and worried by now.

Here are the top 11 things that Americans dread about Christmas, according to a survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center:

1. 68%: Crowds and long lines

2. 37%: Gaining weight

3. 37%: Getting into debt

4. 28%: Gift shopping

5. 25%: Traveling

6 24%: Seeing certain relatives

7. 23%: Seasonal music

8. 19%: Disappointing gifts

9. 16%: Having to attend holiday parties or events

10. 15%: Having to be nice

11.  12%: Holiday tipping

But, this may be a good moment for you to step back, remain calm, relax, and then regroup. Take a little time for yourself today.

Here are a few practical tips from the Mayo Clinic

Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

Some options may include:

• Taking a walk at night and stargazing.
• Listening to soothing music.
• Getting a massage.
• Reading a book.

 My biggest suggestion is to not allow yourself to become anxious in the first place

Remember to seek God’s help. He’s alwaysthere for you.

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

I read about a family who, with great humor, has been sending the same Christmas fruitcake to each other over many years. And, obviously, it's been a lot fun just re-gifting it. I imagine it's pretty stale by now, good thing no one plans to actually eat it.

 Lots of people regift

According to a Cosmo poll, 67 percent have re-gifted a present…but only 6 percent have ever been caught doing so.

Re-gifting God’s gift to you

There is a wonderful gift that is meant to be re-gifted, and that gift, from God to you, is the biggest gift of all time. It's called, the gospel, which literally translated, means “good news.”

“The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matt. 10:8)

God gave His gift because of His love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only born Son, that whosoever believes on Him, should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Matt. 15:16)

How to give the gift to others

Keep in mind that you have the most valuable, wonderful, life changing gift to share with others that has ever been given! And, your positive, happy (even thrilled) attitude should reflect it! It is not only the “good news,” it's the greatest news! And you get to share it!

You can share the Good News …

• With your smile. You have so much to be glad about and it should be reflected with a pleasant happy smile. “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” (Prov. 15:13)
• With your conversation. Take the opportunity to say, “Merry Christmas” to people. You may be surprised how many will react positively when you do. It's not “politically correct,” you may get a little push back from a few, but most people will welcome the greeting enthusiastically. It could even open interesting opportunities for youto share about Jesus being the reason for the season. Let the Holy Spirit guide you.
• With Christmas cards. There are so many wonderful Christmas cards available today, especially from your Christian book store. The Christmas story is wonderfully told on and within Christmas in many beautiful ways. You can also include some great Bible verses on your Christmas cards to shine a spotlight on your relationship with Christ.
• With your decorations. Your decorations in your home and yard reflect what you think about the Christmas season. You can design them to show the joys of thes eason. There is a song I really like, written by William Tyndall and made popular by Evie Carlson, during the 1980’s. Some of the lyrics are, “Come on ring those bells, light the Christmas tree! Jesus is the King, born for you and me. Come on ring those bells, everybody say, ‘Jesus we remember this, your birthday.'”

 Keep it simple and uncomplicated

Whatever you do, keep in mind that sharing should be as simple as one beggar telling another beggar where to find some free bread. If you are truly excited about Jesus, it should be a part of who you are and everything you do.

Joni Erickson Tada is the president of JET ministries, a ministry which aims to serve the disabled. She is herself a quadriplegic. A few years ago she was a spectator at the Los Angeles Special Olympics. Her husband, Ken, was the coordinator for track and field events. Joni was among a large crowd watching the participants prepare for the 50 meters running race.

The starter’s gun fired and off the contestants raced. As they rushed toward the finish line one boy left the track and started running toward his friends standing in the infield. Ken blew his whistle, trying to get the boy to come back to the track, but all to no avail.

Then one of the other competitors noticed, a down syndrome girl with thick bottle glasses. She stopped just short of the finish line and called out to the boy, “Stop, come back, this is the way.” Hearing the voice of her friend the boy stopped and looked. “Come back, this is the way” she called. The boy stood there, confused. His friend, realising he was confused, left the track and ran over to him. She linked arms with him and together they ran back to the track and finished the race. They were the last to cross the line, but were greeted by hugs from their fellow competitors and a standing ovation from the crowd.

The down syndrome girl with the bottle glasses taught everyone present that day an important life lesson, that it’s important to take time out form our own goals in life to help others find their way.

Reflecting on the episode afterwards Ken was reminded of some verses from Romans 15:

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up . . . May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” - Source: reported in Joni Erickson Tada, “It’s Called Unity”, found at joniandfriends.org

The law of Christ

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2)

Most Bible teachers understand the law of Christ to be what Christ stated were the greatest commandments in Mark 12:28-31, “‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’”

Love God and neighbors

The law of Christ, then, is to love God with all of our being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

All of the Old Testament Law can be placed in the categories of “loving God” or “loving your neighbor.”

We must obey the law of Christ

Various New Testament scriptures state that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law, bringing it to completion and conclusion (Rom. 10:4; Gal. 3:23-25; Eph. 2:15). In place of the Old Testament Law, Christians are to obey the law of Christ. Rather than trying to remember the hundreds of individual commandments in the Old Testament Law, Christians are simply to focus on loving God and loving others. If Christians would truly and wholeheartedly obey those two commands, we would be fulfilling everything that God requires of us.

How to carry other’s burdens

• Follow God’s example of doing it for us

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (Psalm 68:19)

And in Matthew 11 and Galatians 5, Christ is described as the one who frees us from heavy burdens.

• Be patient and compassionate

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:12-13)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2).

• Notice needy people around you and then do something to help them as though you were helping Jesus Himself

“I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ … ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’" (Matt. 25:34-40)

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11)

Having the same love

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil 2:1-3)

“Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be.” - Stephen R. Covey

Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Phil. 2:4)

Just for today ...

"Just for today, smile a little more. Just for today, ask someone how he or she is really doing. Just for today, remember, while some may have it better than you do, there are others whom definitely have it worse than you! Just for today, just let go, just for today…" - James A. Murphy

Jesus was the perfect example

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:6-11 NLT)

 "One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served." - Gordon B. Hinckley

This gift, is not only for them, but it is for you, too!

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:10)

The Christmas season is a great time for reconnecting with loved ones and friends you have been out of touch with, to let them know you are thinking about them and that you care about them. Contact them with a handwritten note, card or a phone call. Better yet, if possible, go see them!

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." (Luke 6:31

 “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul."  (Prov.  27:9)

“The only way to have a friend is to be one." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced." (Matt. 2:10

Today, look around you and take note of all the blessings that you presently enjoy, but you take for granted, and thank God for them. Also, reach out to those around you who have contributed to your blessings and thank them.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great." (Matt 5:12a)

 “In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (2 Thess. 5:18)

"The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.”  - Joseph B. Wirthlin

"And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." (Luke 2:8)

Christmas Cheer!

Christmas Cheer is a mindset regarding Christmas. We create an atmosphere of Christmas around us by expressing Christmas joy about the birth of Jesus and what His birth means to the world.

This is the most wonderful news of all time!

I once hated Christmas

Spreading “Christmas Cheer” was extremely difficult, even almost impossible, for me because I hated Christmas! When the first trappings of Christmas appeared, I would go into a deep dark depression. By the time Christmas arrived, I could hardly get out of bed. I dreaded the holiday season each year. You may wonder how I had gotten like this. I'm sure it was from what happened to me as a child during the holidays. Growing up in the foster care system in the old days was very different than it is now. I won't go into details, but that was part of what affected me.

A powerful sermon explained what happened to me

One Sunday at the beginning of the holiday season, I heard a sermon from my pastor which changed how I felt during Christmas time. He said the holiday season is difficult, even painful and depressing, for some people. He said it is often caused by traumatic experiences which have happened during the holidays. Perhaps it was the death of a spouse, parent, or child. Or there was abuse or some other negative event which triggered sadness or depression during the holidays.

Do something to change how you feel in the future

He said we can't change or control what has happened in the past, but it is possible to change the future! We can build new memories to associate with the holiday season. New positive memories can change how we feel in the future during the holiday season.

A light went off in my head!

It was the first time anyone had suggested a solution to my problem. He said, “Nothing changes, until something changes!” He suggested a few practical things to do.

I decided to create new wonderful memories attached to Christmas. At first I forced myself to do holiday things. I did only a few little things that first year, but each year I added a few more things. My “to do” list grew, and so did my enjoyment of the holidays. My depression became a thing of the past.

• I helped decorate our Christmas tree.
• I looked for ways to help others.
• I bought and wrapped Christmas presents.
• I listened to Christmas music.
• I went for drives with my wife to see Christmas lights.
• I went to the mall to see the decorations.
• I went to my children's Christmas programs.
• I started saying “Merry Christmas.”
• I sent Christmas cards.
• I put decorations on our house.
• I went to the church bazaar.
• I went Christmas caroling.
• I watched Christmas movies with my wife.
• I wore a Santa hat and “ugly sweaters.”

Over the years, with all the new memories associated with Christmas, it has become my favorite time of the year.

I’ve discovered a huge bonus related to the season: it’s a wonderful time to share the good news of why we are celebrating!

The first ones to spread Christmas Cheer

In the Christmas story in Luke 2:8, angels, the heavenly host, and the shepherds reacted to the birth of the Savior. They were the very first ones to spread Christmas Cheer!

“And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8)

“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'” (Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

“When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.” (Luke 2 :17 NASB)

“And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." (Luke 2 :20 NASB)