Christmas giving at its best!

We are too privileged. Too blessed.  And beyond any meaning of the word lucky.

Why?

Because we were born here and not there.

I, like many of you have no idea what it would be like to be born in a third world. We can't do any more than re-visualize the photos we've seen of what it would be like to raise our children in slums, poverty and illness.

We are too privileged.

In the midst our affluence we give here or give there; we sponsor children and we pray for them; we send over shoe boxes and useful clothing items, but are we really doing enough? If you were a mother living in poverty forced to giver her children up solely so they could eat, would you think we were doing enough?

I don't know.  But I do know this ... I am convicted that I am not doing enough.

Please, please go over to Emily T Weirenga's website and post about a new foundation she's starting because she felt the tug of God to do more.  It is called The Lulu Tree.

And here's my challenge to you, one that I have made myself ... in my blessed affluence, if I should ever offer a gift to someone - a family member, friend or colleague - may it be a gift that gives to the world.  Go to Emily's foundation or others like it and promise yourself that every time you give out of your extra abundance (cuz that what present-buying, coffee-purchasing, movie-watching and shoe-shopping is) that a life can be changed.

And if you haven't had a chance to pick up Emily's book Atlas Girl - go now! Check out my review or visit her website to find out more.

Spread some cheer ... Christmas time is here.

This morning I am baking goodies - sweet and savoury for our annual open house.  I haven't been in the mood for a lot of Christmas music yet this year but today I am.  So I thought I would show you a few songs to get you in the mood too.  (In case you aren't there yet).

But first, let me open our time together with a silly video from the guys at Tenth Avenue North.  You can tell they had a lot of fun filming it.

Anyone want to take a guess at how many attempts it took to film that awesome display of Holiday Cheer?  Check out their website for the answer.  The song is also available for download at iTunes.

Here is a list of some Christian artists celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour.  The links are to the song which you can download onto your computer for free.

If you like Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash has a free download from Amazon of her rendition of O Holy Night.  (It is in Mp3 format.)

Or why not, Angels We Have Heard on High. (Info on how to download is underneath the song title.  To play the song, click on the blue highlighted song title.)    

Or perhaps you are in the mood for a little God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Jars of Clay.

Are you a Phil Keaggy fan?  Try The Best Christmas Morn.

Those are just a few free downloads you can add to your Christmas tunes this year.  However my favourite Christmas CD, (which isn't free and I don't even have any videos for it) is my Paul Brandt CD titled The Gift.  I am listening to it now.  Wanna come over?  I'll have some cookies out of the oven in about ten minutes.

One last bit of holiday fun is a video made by Spirit 105.3.  

Have a blessed and joyous Christmas.  From my home to yours ... God Bless!