"Have Everything"

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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).  "Have Everything?" October 29, 2013 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke2:10 Well, I tried. I really did. Sadly, I stand before you confessing I have failed. And what is this failure? Only this: I wanted to be first in calling to your attention that Christmas is coming. Now I've found out that Neiman-Marcus has beat me to the punch and published its list of gifts for people to give ... if they want this Christmas to be truly special. If you don't get their catalog, allow me to share some of those most unique presents. Near the top of their list is a television. No, not a television like the one that graces your living room. No, this is a T E L E V I S I O N! The Neiman-Marcus TV is a 201-inch TV, which rises out of the ground in your backyard (or in your front yard, if you so desire.) It has a DVD, stereo, and just about anything else you could hook into a home entertainment system. The price tag: $1.5 million. That doesn't include shipping and handling. Now maybe you were thinking of a present which is a bit more lasting. If so, Neiman-Marcus can help you out with its "Diamond Experience." If you purchase this present, you will get a 25-carat uncut diamond. Along with the diamond you will receive a trip to the De Beers diamond headquarters in London and a visit to Africa where you can see where the stone was mined. Wondering how much the "Diamond Experience" is going to set you back? The price is a paltry $1.85 million. No doubt, it's worth every penny. For those of you who are a bit more frugal, the company has less costly gifts. There's the $750,000 hand-built motorcycle, and the designer exercise bike that sells for $11,000. I certainly wouldn't want to forget the $50,000 package that allows you, for an afternoon, to become a falconer. So, those are some of the presents one company thinks you might want to consider if you are going to make this Christmas the best holiday ever. Are you smiling? Are you shaking your head in disbelief? Are some of you guys really thinking a 201-inch TV might not be so bad? The reactions to this list are varied and diverse. Even so, we who know Jesus ought to be saying, "The best Christmas ever took place more than 2,000 years ago." That first Christmas the holy Son of God was born of a virgin. He entered the world in poverty and endured abuse, hatred, mockery and criticism. He was beaten, whipped, punched, crowned with thorns, and crucified. All this He endured so you and I might be forgiven of our sins and granted an eternal home in heaven. Because of what happened on that first Christmas we Christians know our presents, our festivities, our remembrances will always remain pale imitations and poor reflections of the great love we have received from God's Son, our Lord and Savior. May that be in our minds and hearts as soon we start to prepare for a Christmas that will center on Jesus who was, is and always will be our greatest news of great joy. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world has a lot of ideas on how Christmas should be celebrated. Sometimes they even convince us its way is the right way. May we always remember that Jesus' coming is good news of great joy, which You give to us all. In Jesus' Name. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries