"They're bored, We're broke"

The presents are all opened, the wide-eyed anticipation of our children has been rewarded with many if not all of those things they said they wanted and just couldn't live without. Now just a few days later those toys they couldn't live without, they can't even find, that special doll is now just another doll, that "one-of-a-kind , Awesome , guaranteed to bring fun back into my life" toy is now old hat and unexciting. A week after Christmas our children are bored, we are broke and left wondering if it's to late to get our money back. One of the hardest lessons for our children to learn is that things do not satisfy for very long, if at all. But as parents we are convinced year after year that this will be the year that "things" will satisfy only to be met once again with those word's "I'm Bored". As a parent I enjoy giving gifts to my children and hope and usually "know" that this gift will really satisfy them, because I believe the same thing about my own life. Deep down most of us really believe that all we need to satisfy us and make us happy are more things. You see one of the hardest lessons for children AND THEIR PARENTS to learn is that things do not satisfy for very long ,if at all. Things have their place; they are not to be our masters, there purpose is not to satisfy us but to serve us. Isaiah reminds us that satisfaction cannot be bought. Joy and satisfaction are only found one place - a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. "Only Jesus can Satisfy your soul." Parents let your kids see that principle at work in your life this Christmas.
Isa 55:2-3 "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live;"

"His Name is Jesus"

There is a very important yet troubling biblical principle about our lives , “we do not know what a day will bring forth.” And if that is true of a day then certainly weeks, months and years fall into the category of the great unknown. Fear, uncertainty and discouragement seem to have taken up permanent residence in the hearts of just about everyone you meet. A lack of wisdom about how to fix the problems we face in our world, a shortage of good leaders, families and marriages struggling to stay together, the wars and violence that never seem to end, is there an answer? How can we face 2010 triumphantly, joyfully and with certainty.
We need to remember the Hope that is set before us. That hope is not a philosophy, it is not a politician, it is not economic renewal, it is not some new medicine. That hope is a person and His name is Jesus Christ. True, we do not know what a day will bring forth, but as believers we do know one thing- in every today and every tomorrow we have hope, a hope that does not disappoint, a hope that is sure and steadfast. Isaiah 9:6 tells us...
There is a Mighty God who rules and reigns, who will one day establish his throne on this earth for all the world to see and he will lead us in perfect righteousness - His name is Jesus.
There is a Wonderful Counselor who can mend our broken hearts and heal families and marriages, who sets us free from the bondage of sin - His name is Jesus.
There is a Prince of Peace who has established peace with God through his cross and brings peace into our relationships and will one day bring peace to this world - His name is Jesus.
There is an Everlasting Father who deals with us as his children, who holds our todays and our tomorrows firmly in his sovereign hand, who one day will call us home to be with himself - His name is Jesus.
Do you know this Jesus? He is the one whom the angels proclaimed to those shepherds that glorious night 2000 years ago.
Luke 2:10 - 11 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
May you rejoice this Christmas in that name which is above every name - May He fill your hearts with hope and give you peace. His name is Jesus.