Positive Daily Inspiration – December 21, 2023 – The Gift of Yourself

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The Gift of Yourself

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“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.”
Matthew 25:35

Gifts of the heart instead of the purse mean the most on Christmas morning, and in the memory of the receiver forever.

This teaches about the way we should approach every person every day of Christmas.

The ultimate gift is a gift of yourself.

“Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little more.”
Dr. Seuss

Shared today, eternal truths from some of the greatest writers.

This Christmas – Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

The classic piece by Helen Steiner Rice reminds us the Christ comes to us in the most unexpected ways, in the most unexpected people.

THE CHRISTMAS GUEST

(Helen Steiner Rice)

It happened one day near December’s end,
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green,
And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And he said, “Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said, ‘I am coming your guest to be’.
So, I’ve been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir,
The table is spread, and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined,
And now I will wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look on His face … “

So, his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known,
For, long since, his family had passed away
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best,
So, he listened with only joy in his heart.
And with every sound he would rise with a start
And look for the Lord to be at his door
Like the vision he had a few hours before.
So, he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he could see on the snow-covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
But Conrad was touched and went to the door
And he said, “Your feet must be frozen and sore,
I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too.”

So, with grateful heart the man went away,
But Conrad noticed the time of day.
He wondered what made the Lord so late
And how much longer he’d have to wait,
When he heard a knock and ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.
A bent, old lady with a shawl of black,
With a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad’s Great Guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, “Don’t send me away
Let me rest for a while on Christmas day.”
So, Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
But after she left, he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
And the Lord had not come as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.

When out of the stillness he heard a cry,
“Please help me and tell me where am I.”
So again, he opened his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before,
It was only a child who had wandered away
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again, Conrad’s heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he should make the little girl glad,
So, he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So, he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, “Dear Lord, why did you delay,
What kept You from coming to call on me,
For I wanted so much Your face to see … “

When soft in the silence a voice he heard,
“Lift up your head for I kept My word–
Three times My shadow crossed your floor–
Three times I came to your lowly door–
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet,
I was the woman you gave something to eat,
And I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked and three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best,
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.”

Merry Christmas dear friend, we are praying for safe holiday travels for you and your loved ones.

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POSITIVE DAILY PRAYER:

This Christmas I realize God is ALL wisdom, the Creator, and I am one with God every day of this sacred holiday season.
I am included.
I accept Divine guidance and I abide by it.
I believe that God works through me for good.
I now partake of the Divine Mind of God, and I am led to say, and to do, the right thing at the right time, and in the right way.
I and God are one.
Thank You God.

In the name of the babe born in Bethlehem … Amen

POSITIVE DAILY AFFIRMATION:

The living Christ quickens my mind and heart. This Christmas Divine love radiates through me giving to all and attracting only good into my life.

POSITIVE DAILY QUOTE:

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.”
Alexander Smith

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