"Set your mind on (be intent on) the things above, not on the things that are on earth."  Colossians 3:2  (Margin note)

The holiday season has arrived. The big rush is in full swing to get things done before Christmas. The stores are competing with each other for the customer's attention with sales and specials. All this busyness can be a distraction that causes us to look to the things of the world rather than keeping our eyes focused on the things of God. We are so involved with finding just the right gift for each person on our list that we forget the greatest Gift of all, Jesus. He is the priceless gift to the world, given in a love that is beyond measure. The gift that brings life and light to a world in darkness.

"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'"
John 8:12

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says of Believers, "You are the light of the world..." Matthew 5:14

"For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

Though, formerly, Believers were darkness now by God's grace we are 'light in the Lord' as we see in Ephesians 5:8, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light."
As children of the light the greatest gift that we can give family and friends is to tell of God's Gift to all mankind.

How?
By word, to be sure, but above all by our conduct. Words means nothing if our actions do not correspond. For this very reason many non-believers call Christians hypocrites (a hypocrite is a person whose actions belie stated beliefs). Even Jesus called the religious of His day hypocrites and He gives a catalog of woes for such as those in Matthew 23:13 and onward.

I will close with this admonition from the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians and to us, "See then that you walk circumspectly (carefully) not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17

The Good News of Christ is the greatest gift you can ever give. It is life and light to whomever will receive! Remember you maybe be the only Bible that an unbeliever has read!

Blessings to all.