“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Black Friday Sale! Better than Black Friday Sale! This weekend only! Last Chance for Greatest Deals Ever! Buy now while supplies last! Last Minute Holiday Shopping! Prices Good While Supplies Last! Hurry Before its too late, this deal will be gone . . . !
I don’t know about you, but my inbox and mailbox have been full of ads like these for more than a month. Exclamation points and capital letters, flashing signs, urgent messages warning me that if I don’t act now it will too late, I will miss incredible opportunities and life changing moments to — SHOP NOW. All the hype, repetition and commotion over shopping; as if the critical aspect of the Christmas season is gift giving.
Well, isn’t it? Truth be told, the Christmas celebration exists to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the greatest gift ever given. In case you have lost track of the story, the history, in the midst of holiday shopping, let me give you a brief synopsis. Man sinned and was separated from God. God, in His infinite love and kindness, sent His only Son, Jesus, to unite man with God once again. God loved us, all of us, so very much that though we deserved death, He made a way for us to have life. Eternal life. With Him. In Jesus we have everything to look forward to, nothing to fear. Our time on this earth may run out, but heaven is secured for those who accept Jesus. A different sort of eternity awaits those without the blood of Jesus. covering their sins.
Without hype, flashing lights or giant mark downs Jesus offers you the deal of a lifetime. No shopping, decorating or baking needed to appropriate this gift and experience peace and joy like no other. Maybe those Who’s down in Whoville who sang without any presents at all knew something we need to know. Christmas does not come from a store; perhaps Christmas means a little bit more than finding the perfect gift for a hard to shop for relative.
I don’t know about you, but the recurrent, urgent sales messages backfire with me. Seeing them so often lulls me into unconsciousness and a false sense that I still have time. Surely the next new deal will be just as good, I can wait to place my order. Which I can do, but the product may not get here in time for Christmas. Late gifts never satisfy the Christmas morning crowd.
And sadly, those that wait too long to put their faith in Jesus will miss out on the greatest gift ever. Don’t wait, this is one offer that truly can’t be missed, no pressure, just a gift offered in love. The abundant life God gives starts now, no strings attached, no minimum purchase required. And what greater gift to give those you love than the truth! Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Find your way to the Father this Christmas, and share that message as a gift to those you love.
Merry Christmas!
For 35 years now we have been celebrating a birthday the week before Christmas. Many of those years I have made Puppy Chow as a special treat for the birthday girl. Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies, Sweet Chex Mix , no matter what you call it recipes for this easy treat can be found on the back of Chex Cereal boxes and all over the internet. Here is my version of this fun cereal mix.
Puppy Chow
- 9 cups Chex Cereal, 1 12 oz box, Rice, Corn or your favorite variety of Chex
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups confectionary sugar
Place cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In microwavable bowl, place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Cook on hugh 1 minute or until melted and stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cerreal, or spoon it depending on viscosity. Stir until cereal pieces are evenly coated.
Pour about 1 cup of confectionary sugar into a gallon zip lock bag. Add 1/2 of cereal. Add a little more confectionary sugar on top of cereal. Securely zip bag shut. Shake bag until cereal pieces are coated with sugar. Pour out onto a parchment paper. Repeat for second half of cereal, using as much sugar as you need.
I find the cereal gets more evenly coated if there is sugar at the bottom and the top of the bag. Allow cereal pieces to sit on the counter for a few minutes to set. Then place in a festive tin or small plastic bags to give as gifts.
