DEVOTION: A Christmas Gift We Can All Afford to Give ~ by Kathi Macias

 “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord;
and they shall be My people, and I will be their God,
for they shall return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7).

Is it just me, or has the bad news added to more bad news put a damper on the approaching holiday season? It’s so easy to get focused on our country’s (and personal!) financial woes and therefore lose heart for Christmas and all it represents to us as believers. In the Apostle Paul’s words, Beloved, it should not be so!

I won’t deny that for many of us, finances will impact the extent to which we celebrate the gift-giving aspect of Christmas. But finances (or lack thereof) do not need to impact our giving of the very best gifts to those who so desperately need them.

What are those gifts?

We need to shine the Light of the world to those who walk in darkness—and we can do that because that Light lives within us.

We need to proclaim and model the Love of God to those with broken hearts and skewed perceptions of love—because that Love has already reached down to us.

We need to pray that many, regardless of how dark or bleak the days (or maybe even because of that very fact) would turn to the One who alone is the Light of the world and the Giver of unconditional Love to all who ask.

Specifically, why not offer up Jeremiah 24:7 as a prayer gift for your loved ones, as well as for those you don’t know? On a regular basis between now and Christmas, let’s agree together to pray, “Lord, give _________ a heart to know You. Show ______ more clearly each day that You are the Lord. We believe that _________ will be Your son/daughter, and You will be his/her God, for __________ shall return to You with all his/her heart.”

I’m going to do it. What about you? It’s the best gift we can give to anyone—and the Giver of all good gifts will be sure to answer.

Blessings to you all as we enter this wonderful season together!

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. 

A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. 

She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.