JR. Forasteros - January 20, 2013

Ugly Ducklings

First Things First

Genesis 1 teaches us that God created us in God's image. While other creation stories written around the same time teach that humans were created to be slaves to the gods, Genesis teaches us that we are God's children and partners in creation. Today we are constantly surrounded by stories, by companies and cultures telling us what to be and how to act. We must always listen to Jesus, who perfectly reveals God's way to us and reminds us that we are first and foremost friends and children of God.

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What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever given? My wife makes fun of me because I’m really bad at one particular aspect of giving gifts – the waiting part. As soon as a gift shows up, I want to give it to her. I just can’t help myself. Giving gifts is one of my major love languages, and I find it really hard to wait.

Unless there’s a scheme afoot. I’ve been known to plan elaborate treasure hunts here and there. And for a number of years now, my wife and I have celebrated the 12 days of Christmas – so starting on Christmas day, we give each other gifts for 12 straight days. Since today is the 10th Day of Christmas, we’ve got some gifts to exchange a little later – and for the next two days!

12 days of Christmas is incredibly fun – it’s a great way to keep the spirit of celebrating Jesus’ birth going throughout the whole Christmas season. But it takes some discipline and planning. Discipline not to just give all the gifts on that first day – otherwise there’s nothing left for the other 11 days!

And planning because I want to be sure to find 12 distinct gifts, ready to wrap and deliver each day.

As we’ve already covered, planning and waiting isn’t my strong suit when it comes to gifts. But it’s worth it, because there’s little better than the perfect gift at the perfect moment.

We’re going to explore the Christmas story as God’s perfect plan at the perfect moment.

We’re going to wonder at what it means that we get to join in God’s perfect plan.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate God’s rescue mission – and our part in it!

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