December 4th, 2025
Thursday, December 4th
For Us
By: Sheila Sonon
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
As Christmas approaches, it’s so easy to get tangled in the glitter of the season. Presents, decorating, parties, school plays, musicals—none of these things are bad, but they often crowd out the quiet places where we meet God. Before we know it, we’re exhausted, overspent, and spiritually empty, wondering how we drifted so far from the true meaning of Christmas.
This year, I decided to cut back on my purchasing—not out of lack, but out of desire. Desire for peace. Desire for purpose. Desire for God. The pressure to buy for every single person was stealing my joy, when the real gifts I wanted to give were the ones that money can’t buy: a hug, a long conversation, a homemade meal, moments shared in love. These are the gifts that reflect God’s heart, not the perfect bow on a box.
As I slow down, I’m reminded that loving God also means fearing Him—but not the kind of fear that makes us hide. It’s a Holy fear, a reverent awe, the awareness that He is God and we are not. It’s recognizing His authority, His holiness, His power, and His deep, sacrificial love that Romans 5:8 proclaims so beautifully. Fear becomes good when it draws us closer to Him. It becomes harmful only when we misunderstand it and allow shame or pressure to push us away.
God isn’t impressed with perfect Christmas trees or flawless wrapping. He wants our hearts. He wants our attention. He wants us.
Nothing in a store can bring me closer to God. Only choosing Him—over busyness, over expectations, over noise—can do that.
This year, may we give Him the gift He desires most: ourselves.
For Us
By: Sheila Sonon
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
As Christmas approaches, it’s so easy to get tangled in the glitter of the season. Presents, decorating, parties, school plays, musicals—none of these things are bad, but they often crowd out the quiet places where we meet God. Before we know it, we’re exhausted, overspent, and spiritually empty, wondering how we drifted so far from the true meaning of Christmas.
This year, I decided to cut back on my purchasing—not out of lack, but out of desire. Desire for peace. Desire for purpose. Desire for God. The pressure to buy for every single person was stealing my joy, when the real gifts I wanted to give were the ones that money can’t buy: a hug, a long conversation, a homemade meal, moments shared in love. These are the gifts that reflect God’s heart, not the perfect bow on a box.
As I slow down, I’m reminded that loving God also means fearing Him—but not the kind of fear that makes us hide. It’s a Holy fear, a reverent awe, the awareness that He is God and we are not. It’s recognizing His authority, His holiness, His power, and His deep, sacrificial love that Romans 5:8 proclaims so beautifully. Fear becomes good when it draws us closer to Him. It becomes harmful only when we misunderstand it and allow shame or pressure to push us away.
God isn’t impressed with perfect Christmas trees or flawless wrapping. He wants our hearts. He wants our attention. He wants us.
Nothing in a store can bring me closer to God. Only choosing Him—over busyness, over expectations, over noise—can do that.
This year, may we give Him the gift He desires most: ourselves.
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