PASTOR JACK'S THOUHTS DECEMBER 8, 2009
CHRISTMAS ATTITUDES (week two)
Last week, I talked about the very meaningful attitudes of Mary and Joseph. I hope you have considered that as you went about your daily activities. The attitudes of some others in the Christmas story are not so admirable! We can learn from both good and bad attitudes. So this week, let us think about the inappropriate attitude of King Herod. The story of King Herod's conversation with the Wise Men is found in Matthew 2:1-16. The Wise Men sought his help in locating the Child Jesus and he asked them to come back and tell him when they found the newborn King. He lied to them and said that he also wanted to go and worship the baby. His attitude about the baby was one of deception and jealousy. In fact, he was so angry when the Wise Men did not return to tell him about the child that he ordered all baby boys under the age of two to be killed because he thought that he could destroy Jesus in that way. His jealous attitude turned into murder!! It is amazing how the attitudes of our heart can rule our actions! Read this story and think about how your everyday attitudes rule your own actions.
During this Christmas season, we often become very rushed and our attitudes are altered because of busy activities in which we are all involved. Our attitudes might not draw us to murder like it did Herod but attitudes of jealousy and deception with our family and with friends might become very hurtful to others. Christmas is a time of joy and thanksgiving. It is a time to give meaningful 'gifts of the heart' to all around us. A kind, helpful, loving attitude can be the best gift that we can give to others and to Christ during this season. Gifts that are bought with money come and soon go but the gift of a good attitude will last with people long after all else is gone!
It might be helpful if each of us would stop often and check our attitudes, make adjustment and then freely give a 'gift of the heart' (a loving attitude) to others.
Freely give and freely you shall receive!
Pastor Jack
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