618 Old Railroad Bed Road, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334
WARM WELCOME & LOVING HEARTS
WARM WELCOME & LOVING HEARTS
Sunday School: 10:15
Sunday Worship: 11:00
Fellowship Meal: 1st Sunday
Communion: 3rd Sunday
Bible Study: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
SUBSTITUTION
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
I remember being a very small child one year at Christmas. Things were not so great in the family as far as finances went. Of course, I did not know about the finances until many years later, but it was not the best of years financially. We did not decorate that year, and I felt that was odd even at that young age. We were not going to have gifts that year. My brother was 3 years older than me, and we were very close. Both of us were just like many other kids in the fact that we had favorite toys. The two of us decided that our favorite toy would be what we gave to each other for Christmas. My favorite toy was Army jeep. I cannot remember what my brother’s favorite toy was, but we knew we were going to something to each other. We did not have wrapping paper, so we decided to use tablet paper. Yes, I am that old. We had the old tablet paper that would not make a good paper wad to throw but it would wrap around our toys to give to each other. This is a great memory for me because my brother and I were very close. We were willing to sacrifice for each other because we loved each other. So, this may sound a little sad, but in reality, I would not trade that Christmas with my brother for anything. It was a great gift of sacrifice.
There is a greater gift that has been given and this gift was given to all of us. It is God’s grace. For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but would have everlasting life. (John 3:16) This is our true celebration of Christmas. The birth of our Savior. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have the opportunity for forgiveness of sins and the true Hope of eternal life. This is a good and perfect gift from God. For it is by grace that we have been saved, through our faith—and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8) So, this Christmas season keep the main thing the main thing and know that Jesus is the perfect gift and His sacrifice was for all. Jesus is Lord.
PS. That year my Uncle found out about the financial situation in our home. He and my Aunt made sure that my brother and I were blessed exceedingly that year. I believe they were and are a good gift from above.
Blessings, Pastor Allan Shed