12 Day of Christmas with Sheila Mangum
It is the final day of our 5th annual 12 Days of Christmas.
Oh how I have loved featuring just a few of my Proverbs 31 sisters here each day.
Even though this is the last day, remember that you can comment on all 12 posts until midnight EST Sunday. One grand prize winner will be chosen who comments on all 12 posts. (prize show below)
Up today, the fabulous Speaker Services Coordinator
Carrying a Gift to the Throne
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11
Merry Christmas to all of Karen Ehman’s bloggers! I am Karen’s friend Sheila. (I adore her so! Don’t you?) I work on staff at Proverbs 31 and am blessed beyond measure.
I love Christmas. My heart is happy-happy-happy when I hear Christmas music especially songs from the “olden days” by Bing Cosby and Andy Williams. IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEARRRRRR!
The song “Mary Did You Know” brings me to tears and to my knees ever year. I savor the smell of our Christmas tree and the sound of cutting wrapping paper to wrap a gift I know will thrill the receiver’s heart! Many memories and family Christmas traditions are treasured in my heart always and forever.
My favorite Christmas memory happened during Praise and Worship at our Christmas Eve service one year. The worship leader said to our congregation, “Let’s just close our eyes, worship, and wait on God’s presence.” My husband and I stood with our two little angels (Brittany and Stevie) to do just that. Wait on God’s presence.
With my eyes closed and my heart focused on the goodness of God, we were entering worship, when I was interrupted by a tug on my shirt.
I opened one eye and looked down at one of my little angels. Stevie wanted to whisper something in my ear. I bent down to listen, as he spoke in the softest loudest whisper he could muster up, “Mom! Mom! When is God coming with all the presents?” Out of the mouth of babes! (Psalm 8:2)
My answer to my little angel that sweet Christmas Eve was that God was on His way.
God is the ultimate gift giver.
He gave His only Son that we might live.
He continues to give by answering prayers and the deepest cries of hearts exceedingly and abundantly with His grace, mercy, love, and goodness.
And what you do not see today, know God’s provision is on its way, because God is the giver of all good things. He loves and gives well.
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32
Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17
Have you ever wondered what present you could give back? This Christmas walk into the throne room of God’s presence and gift him with the gift of loving others well.
Love Anyway.
Give Big.
Forgive.
Give Grace.
Give Time.
Give Words of Life!
When you love His children, you gift Him. Just wrap a note in a beautifully wrapped box gifting God that you will love others well this year.
Will you do that? Oh, how His heart will be thrilled! O Come Let Us Adore Him!
Blessings and Loveeeee to you all and Merry, Merry Christmas from Proverbs 31,
Sheila
P.S Oh, and as for my little Stevie, he opened a few presents the next morning that thrilled his heart! I thank God for that provision and the privilege to love him.
Love Big!
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Now for Sheila’s giveaway: Comment what you are going to “gift” Jesus this Christmas and qualify to win the giveaway of both books by Elevation Church’s Pastor Steven Furtick Greater and Sun Stand Still and a bouquet of Candy Canes!
Remember, you have until Sunday midnight EST December 16th to comment on all the posts. One grand prize winner will be chosen from among the gals who post on all 12 days! The grand prize is:
A unique advent candle display depicting Bethlehem, Mary and Jesus, with votive holders and candles nestled inside. A $50 retail value. And, along with it, a copy of my new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
My gift is to spend more time with Jesus and be a better role model for my kids.
Always, I think of really giving my heart to Him more through quiet time spent with Him…that is just a given that I just never seem to give enough of, but always worth improving. But this coming year, I really desire to serve others in His name with my children. That is something I have been praying about and looking at ways that we can serve as a family.
My gift will be more focused prayer time with God!
As the song which our choir will be singing goes “I’ll give him my heart”–again, and again and again.
More time in prayer.
I would like to gift him with more devotion by giving Him more time in the Word, authentic worship, and true service.
Time and an open heart to what he wants
Learning more of God’s word by reading and studying the Bible. Memorizing scriptures too
Because of massive healthy challenges, God has used His miracles to teach me that I have much more study to do in order to teach others, The Word; Many more prayers to be uttered for others;. Time to serve others and tell them of God’s love and faithful promises.
Getting into a routine with more sleep. This way I am rested for him and my family. Right now I am living on fumes and I know that is not honoring to Him.
The gift I want to give is more of myself devoted to studying His word…daily. He is a full time God and I should be a full time child….I also will be content to be where He puts me. I will give Him more of me…
Merry Christmas!
Smiles & Blessings,
Robin :)
My contentment. . . allowing myself to be content no matter what He allows to pass my path
My focus.
My gift to Jesus will be my complete self. I am going to pray that He will use me for ANYTHING!
Time alone with Him, and love for others, even those who are sometimes hard to love.
Giving praise and thanksgiving to Him all that he has done for me. Sharing encouraging words to others.
I plan on giving Jesus my heart and service for orphans and widows. To care and provide for them as he leads.
Love & Forgiveness
My obedience to His directions.
Merry Christmas
Kindness and compassion for a few of his children I’ve been struggling to show.
MY ALL!
My gift to him will be my heart.
That is the question I am pondering….the gift I give to Him should not be decided lightly ….I am before Him to get the answer. This gift is not like a New Years resolution that we so easily break.
i’d like to gift him with obedience in whatever way He asks, even if it seems to cost more than i’d “planned”. may i be faithful. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!