Tony Nolan

Wow, what a wonderful time of year!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 | Ryan Horn

Wow, what a wonderful time of the year. Christ is everywhere!  I was walking through Home Depot and heard sweet music playing through their PA system intermingled with the liberating anthem, “God and sinners reconciled!” I loved it! Immediately I was inspired to write a blog post.

I have done a lot of writing this year. Most of that writing has been for sermons, Facebook updates, Twitter Tweets and for my upcoming book, “HURT HEALER.” But hardly any of it for blog posts. I’ve had a lot of people tell me, “Tony you should write more blogs.” So when I got the inspiration I sat down quickly to pour out my Christmas filled heart.

But all of a sudden my typing fingers came to a grinding halt when I got an email from my wife Tammy.

When I got an email from her I immediately stopped what I was doing and read it. This keeps me living at the same address as her.  What I read was astounding! It was what I wanted to say, but she said it sooooooo much better than I ever could. So, here is my post, sort of—it’s really my wife’s post. It’s so rich!

I think we’ve all asked the question, especially this time of year, “What do you buy a person who seems to have everything?” We want to give just the right gifts to those we love and as we shop for Christmas gifts or birthday gifts, we will buy things that we know the recipient either wants, enjoys, or could really get a lot of use out of. We want them to feel special and know that we put thought into their gift and we give them our best. Usually the more significant the relationship, the more thought, time, energy, and money we spend on the gift. Right?

As I pondered this year about Christmas and the gifts we would give, I was pondering what we were going to do for Jesus, because, well, it is HIS day! We’ve given more to those in need this Christmas and are more mindful than ever of the thousands of people who are suffering for various reasons and going without many of the basic necessities of life that we often take for granted. Of course, we give to the “least of these,” knowing that we are doing it unto the Lord, but as I thought about this I was challenged.

Giving to the least of these, should be something we do all year long. This comes out of the overflow in our lives as we grow closer to the heart of God, which is filled with compassion (love in ACTION) for the least of these. This isn’t necessarily a “birthday gift”.  Don’t get me wrong, we’re offering gifts such as this to Him this Christmas and I believe He is honored anytime we choose to give of our time, talents, and resources, to be an extension of His hands to the hurting world around us. But He wants our lives. He wants our dreams, our desires, our goals, our ambitions, our affections, and yes, our time and money. It’s all His anyway, but He wants us to daily lay ourselves down for His glory. It is as we daily die to ourselves that we become the “gift” that he wants, the offering that He enjoys, and the one thing that He can use most.

I want my eyes open to the needs of those around me, my hands open to give what is needed, my heart yielded, and my will always ready to immediately obey the Christ of Christmas. I believe that’s the one requested gift the King of Christmas would want for His birthday; for us to give Him our ALL . . . ALL year long! Of all the gifts you’re giving this Christmas, are you giving the One whose birthday we celebrate that which He most desires? He’s made His “list,” all we have to do is read it and offer Him that which He has written.”

Tony here again . . . I told you it was good.

WOW! What an inspirational challenge. Let’s make the Christ of Christmas Merry!

Merry Christmas,

Tony Nolan