Matthew 2:11c they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Merry Christmas. Do you think that the tradition of giving birthday gifts stemmed from this passage? I am not sure, but it would be nice if it were. Did giving Christmas gifts to children perhaps start here? I am not sure, but it might be nice if it were.

We do not know the actual date of His birth. We use this day to celebrate and honor His birth. What did you get Jesus this year? It is hard to pick gifts out from someone who has everything and needs nothing. I dare say most of us forget to get Jesus a birthday gift, or a Christmas gift if you like. WWJW?

What would Jesus want?

Matthew 25:34-36, 40b Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

So maybe you got Him something after all.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

How are we doing with that? Do you understand your brother’s doctrine? Has he shared his thoughts with you? Has he exposed his heart to you? Have you done the same?

We sit in church listening to the same sermon but do we discuss it? Do we hear the same things? Do we see more or less than what was said? Do we have life experiences to draw on about the message?

All that takes time doesn’t it? The time we have left after church before we return home is limited and we are social at best. Being social is important. People need to know you care. But what about weightier matters? When do we have time to share our doctrinal issues and concerns? It is easier to just assume that because we sit together and hear the same message that we are in agreement. But are you?

Our church is once again about to embark on small groups once again. Perhaps we will have a new design, a new focus, new leadership but the same thing will determine success or failure as any and all attempts of the past. Time. We have to make time for one another.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.