I often pride myself in my "outside the box" thinking, but was challenged this week after I made a simple comment. I had punctuated an e-mail conversation with, "After all, Jesus is the reason for the season," and it was only moments before a good Christian friend responded that my focus was too narrow.

She reminded me that we are the reason for the season, and Jesus is the gift for us all. I was reminded that Jesus didn't come to receive praise and adoration, but instead He came to offer salvation — that's the reason.

She challenged me to find a way to let non-Christians know that Jesus is the gift and He's not just for a season.

As I thought about this, I was reminded that we, as Christians, know that He is the gift, the way to salvation from a God who loves us. He came that we might have eternal life. But do non-Christians know that Jesus' birth is the continuation of a love story that starts with "In the beginning"?

What message are we giving to those looking for, or needing to find, Jesus? Do we — or are we perceived to — swoop down with benevolence once or twice a year, or do we present the gift of Jesus to all throughout the year?

I thought about all those folks out there, spending an average of $351 per child to find the "perfect" and "best" gift, and wondered if they would be more content if they knew that the perfect gift wouldn't cost them a cent?

Would people be more accepting if they were reminded that salvation is a gift? Would that be our start at putting Christ back into Christmas in a world that is busily taking Him out of the holiday equation?

I have not yet found that one sentence message that I can deliver, but I am sure looking at the "message" I give as I prepare to celebrate the anniversary of the Blessed Birth. Could it be "Christmas is coming because God loves you and me"? How about "Jesus is the perfect present"?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we who know You thank You for sending Jesus that we may have life. We thank You that His blood has washed us "whiter than the winter snow". We praise You for the gift that we can unwrap anew each year, and we pray that You help us to offer that gift all year long to those who do not yet know Your saving grace. We ask this in the precious and holy name of Jesus. Amen.

The water had frozen, and the pipe had burst. Icy cold water was shooting all over our daughter and son-in-law's fully finished basement.

"Why did it happen?" I knew that it was 28 degrees below zero, but I couldn't understand why the pipe had frozen. After all, our son had given our son-in-law insulation to put behind the pipe to protect it from the winter cold. There was twice as much there as he needed in that gift of insulating protection.

As we all worked mopping up the mess, I pondered why he hadn't used it. I knew that it wasn't laziness; I knew that it wasn't apathy. Could he have simply forgotten? Later I was told that he had remembered that he had the insulation, but he didn't know how to use it properly to get the full benefit. We all assumed that he would know how, or would ask. But then, why would he, coming from the west coast where thick insulation was never needed?

Our son generously gave the gift, but he didn't explain that it needed to go between the exposed pipe and the outside wall to be effective. Instead, our son-in-law wrapped the pipe, trapping out the warm, saving air of the basement.

I was struck by the thought that we, as Christians, should be mindful that we don't make the same mistake. We reach out to tell of the salvation offered by our Lord, but do we fully explain to "newbies" how to use that gift? Or do we assume that they'll either figure it out or ask?

If we unwrap God's gift of salvation and use it properly, we will experience Jesus as our insulation, protecting us through all the inclement times in our lives.

Prayer: Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the insulating gift of salvation offered to us in the blood of Jesus, Your Son. Help us, Father, as we bring others to the knowledge and love of Jesus, to remember also to give them the instructions on how to apply His insulating power to their lives. Amen.

On a recent business trip, my usual room was not available at my favourite hotel, but I was given an equally comfortable room by the very friendly staff. I discovered, however, that there was a difference between the two rooms which wasn't immediately noticeable.

Prior to retiring, and ready to spend some time with God's Word, I looked for the Bible that I usually find in the night table drawer. To my dismay, it wasn't there. I looked through the desk and through the chest of drawers, but there was no Bible to be found. Making a mental note to let the front desk know in the morning so that they could replace it, I hoped that the person who took it was enjoying it to the full.

The next morning, as I bent to put on my slippers, I spotted the missing Bible. There it was, holding up the head of the bed, replacing the little leg, which had fallen off.

My first thought was one of indignity: how could anyone use/abuse a Bible in that manner? My second thought was that this was a wonderful and graphic demonstration of how resting on God's Word keeps us level-headed and on even ground, even when we aren't consciously aware of it.

That Bible had kept my bed level all night, and allowed me to have a restful sleep, whereas, if it hadn't been there, my rest might have been less comfortable, and I may not have even known why.

I did suggest to the front desk folks that maintenance should look at how the bed was supported, but, all day long, I was aware of, and comforted by how much God provides for each of us. I praise God for His care.

Isaiah 2:3 – Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (NIV)

Prayer: Gracious heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for Your constant and ever-present help. We thank You for watching over us through each day and night, and for making the rough places smooth. We pray that we can become more aware of You in our lives, as we strive to walk closer with You each day and in all ways. Amen.