What comes to mind when you hear the word glory? Maybe fame, or a throne, or a crown. But when Jesus spoke of being glorified, He was speaking of His death. True glory is found in sacrifice, not in strength or triumph as the world defines it. When we fight to protect our honor, our reputation, our plans, we may find our hands full, but our lives will be empty. Real life begins as we surrender our will to God and seek His honor above our own. Jesus laid down His life to give us life, and He calls us to follow His example by living with open hands and surrendered hearts.

The Gifts of Christmas
There is no other time of year that we think about gifts more than during the Christmas season. Giving and receiving gifts can certainly bring joy, but gifts can also be the source of stress. What should you buy? Will they like it? In the rush of it all, let’s remember that Christmas is not about the gifts we give and get, but about the gifts that Jesus gave to us by coming into the world. This year, let’s pause, reflect and be thankful for those blessed gifts from above!


