All you need is already given

Christmas is for growing in Christ, not just being exhausted, writes Mark Ryan.

Christmas is such a special time in church communities and families, but it can also be an exceptionally busy time. Quite rightly, most churches hold events that bring lots of interest from people who don’t normally come to church.

Then there are also the compassionate projects to help the less fortunate in this season.

It’s all good! And of course, there is the children’s nativity play, the gifts to buy… and the food to prepare… phew!

Little wonder by the time we get to Christmas we need a rest! So I decided to write a Christmas devotional that was insightful and strengthening for Christians to help them whilst they were busy giving out to others.

‘Given’ is a 21-day journey, short enough not to be too much, but deep enough to give you real inspiration.

Based on the famous promise from Isaiah 9:6-7 you will gain fresh insights into what Christ’s Christmas titles really mean.

The gift we never knew we needed was given anyway…

When something is given, it is done so from the will of the one who wants to give it.

For anything to be given, it takes the mind of someone to imagine, then choose to act, and release something to another.

For something to be truly given, it also has to be received.

Receiving makes the act of giving complete.

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