Taylor Bell Choir and Taylor Ringers Concert

Last night, our family enjoyed a Bell Concert at one of the local universities. It was beautiful to hear Christmas music played on the bells. And best of all - it was FREE! It's amazing the things you can find to do locally that don't cost anything - only the gas money to drive there.

#36 Give till it hurts

True giving should require some sort of sacrifice. If the gift you are giving to your church or an organization doesn't hurt the wallet a bit, give it a second thought. Is there something you could go without that might cause some inconvenience but allow you to give more?

Matthew 19:21-23 "Jesus told him, 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.' But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.'"

#79 Throw a Birthday party

Get your entire family together and plan a birthday party for Jesus. Don't make it a last-minute thing. Put the same time and effort into it as you would if you were planning a family member's party. Decorate the house, and best of all, bake a cake! Make sure the kids help in the kitchen. You can even sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Before everyone helps blow out the candles, pray as a family and thank God, who "loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son" to die for all of our sins.

Luke 2:11 "The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

#9 Be an angel of the night

Do you know someone who needs a job done? Someone who can't take care of it him - or herself? Be an angel of the night, and surprise someone with a secret good deed.

Titus 2:7 "Be an example...by doing good works of every kind."

#16 Pray for our soldiers on active duty...

... and those whose families are spending Christmas without them.

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer with...a thankful heart."

#6 Say Merry Christmas to a complete stranger

Don't save your Christmas cheer for friends and family only.

Galatians 5:22 "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: joy."

#3 Give Thanks

For the month of December, we are going to add in a devotional based on the book by Matthew West "Give This Christmas Away". This book has 101 ways to take the focus off yourself and focus more on those around you. His song by the same title has this chorus:

What if we all just give this Christmas away
If there's love in your heart, don't let it stay there.
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed by the gift you receive,
When you give this Christmas away.

So, today's focus is on giving thanks. We just came off the Thanksgiving season when we are focusing on the things we have and the blessings God has given us. That season of Thanksgiving shouldn't stop when the holiday has passed. Matthew says in his book that we are called to be thankful for even the problems. By doing this, you are saying that God is at work in the midst of the difficulties.

Colossians 2:7 (TLB) "Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done."