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By Cheryl Smith Benefield

CHRISTMAS THE SEASON OF GIVING
By Cheryl Smith Benefieldy

Christmas is the holiday we celebrate as the season to give. This tradition of giving is based on the fact that God gave His only son so that we might have the right to eternal life. Most of us learned John 3:16 as children, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Let’s remember the focus of this holiday season is to celebrate Jesus, the greatest gift of all time

During this holiday season, many people are facing financial challenges. We need to remember that the best gift we can give our loved ones is hope which can be secured through Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can give us eternal life when we surrender our lives to Him.

Other gifts we can give our family and friends this season are books. If you have family members, especially children, who do not have a library card, take them to the library and obtain one for them. Then help them select books which they can read and set a schedule for library visits..

 

My daughter always says, “ Reading is fundamental.” It is a skill that will enhance your life and open doors of opportunity for you. So this month instead of reviewing one book, I would like to suggest several books which can be given as gifts.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Praying for Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton

Blessings or Curse by Derek Prince

The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent

The Power of a Blessing by Eugene H. Peterson

Spiritual Warfare by Richard Ing

The Bait of Satan by John Bevere

The Everyday Guide to Prayer by Andrew Murray

The Weapon of Prayer by E. M. Bounds

Praying Successfully by Charles Spurgeon

The Battle Belongs to the Lord by Joyce Meyers

Experiencing God by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King or any Chicken Soup for the Soul series

If these titles don’t appeal to you, browse your bookstores, search online and find books which would uplift the people you love. Books are simple but exquisite gifts. They inspire, encourage and revive our souls. Books are the tools which can be used to enlighten, inform and raise our conscious level. Along with the Bible, some books help us to become spiritually mature. .

So this holiday season, consider giving the gift that broadens our horizons, a book.