If I had never received Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour I could never know the joy of giv ing. It was a matter of first receiv ing and then experiencing His love in my life. In this way I can experi ence the receiving of all things God has for me to enjoy. In this way I can genuinely experience the blessing of giving.
ing was because of the totality of His giving. He invested Himself totally in giving. Because of this we can love totally, without de mand and without expectancy be cause He first loved us. Christmas should engender the main attitude of freely giving. May we give of our love without any strings at tached. May we demonstrate a gracious Christian spirit in loving others, rather than having them feel obliged. Do you know the blessing in giving?
Mr. Peirson is Executive Director of Alumni Association for Biola College. The Night Before Christmas By DR. JOHN MITCHELL It was Dr. Clement Moore who wrote the poem, "Twas the night before Christmas, Christmas." It was a long night of 400 years. Malachi wrote those last words of the Old Testament "a curse." For four centuries God had not spoken. The priests had no communication with Him. It was a night of darkness, barrenness and defeat.
When all through the house Not a creature was stirring, Not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."
Back in the fourth chapter of Genesis we find a "stocking" with Eve's name on it. She had come through a long, dark night of sin when she was deceived. She de clared, "I have begotten a man from the Lord." The first time a baby was born into this world, his name was Cain. Eve thought her offspring was going to be the de liverer of the human race. To her dismay, that child became a mur derer. Eve was disappointed with what she found in her "Christmas stocking." Later we find another stocking with Noah's name on it. He had come through a terrible time of wickedness. There was violence all over the earth. He found an ark which would save him and his Page 39
Dr. Moore was a professor of theology for 27 years. He is un known today except as the author of this little verse. He wrote it one Sunday afternoon for the enter tainment of his children. I think, however, that there may be some theological implications involved in what he penned. There was "the night before Christmas." Can you remember as a child that occasion? I can recall seeing the Christmas tree with the stockings hung by the chimney. When Cod looks upon humanity He also sees "the night before
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