"The Gift Of Love” Series

According to an article written by Nick Carbone and published by TIME magazine, this year (2011), the price of purchasing every item in the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” all 364 of them, has risen above $100,000. The song lists 12 gifts for 12 days to give to your true love. PNC Wealth Management calls this the “True Cost of Christmas,” calculating the cost of buying every item mentioned in the verses (you’ll end up with 42 swans-a-swimming and 42 geese-a-laying if you do). Each year since 1984, PNC Wealth Management has put a dollar figure on the gifts in the song.

Last year, the total was just under $97,000. This year, the index increased by 4.4% to $101,000. Now, if you’re not feeling quite as generous – or if 364 separate gifts wouldn’t fit in your house – you can buy just one day’s worth of goods for $24,263. The cost of the index has more than doubled since PNC began indexing the items in 1984, when the price of one complete set was $12,673. And don’t think you can cut costs by shopping online: PNC notes that because of shipping, an Internet-purchased list will total $174,382.

Christmas comes with a price tag. So did the first Christmas. The bill for that first Christmas came due 33 birthdays later. That virgin born baby was God come in the flesh, who grew to be a sinless man who gave His life for the sins of the world. That’s the real cost of Christmas. And that is the greatest expression of love the world will ever know.

The love of God resulted in the gift of His Son; and the gift of God’s Son makes it possible to receive the gift of God’s love. Because of the cross, we can have a love relationship with God. Paul prayed we might appreciate the love relationship we have because of Christ. (READ TEXT) Paul says that because of the gift of God’s Son, we can:

1. Know God’s love - v. 17b

Paul uses two images here in speaking about how our personal knowledge of God’s love is foundational to our relationship with Him:

A. An agricultural image - “rooted”

My love relationship with God is my source of life.

B. An architectural image - “established”

My love relationship with God is my strength in life.

WHAT JESUS IS TO ME

He is Wonderful! He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be. He is Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought me healing! He was pierced and eased my pain! He was persecuted and brought me freedom! He was dead and brought me life! He is risen and coming again for me! He reigns and brings me peace!

He answers my prayers morning, noon and night. He knows what I need before I ask Him. He answers according to what is best for me. He supplies all my needs for the work He gives me.

He is my Shepherd who leads me in the way everlasting. He prepares a place for me to pasture and drink clean water. He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. He protects me when I walk in dangerous places. He sets a table for me in the presence of my enemies. He is preparing a place for me where I will dwell with Him for ever and ever.

He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior, He is my Guide, He is my Peace, He is my Joy, He is my Comfort, He is my Friend, He is my Hope, He is my Lord, He is my Boss, and He rules my life! I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. Everyday is a blessing for Jesus Is!

I follow Him because He is the Wisdom of the wise, the Power of the powerful, the Ancient of Days, the Ruler of rulers, the Leader of leaders, the Overseer of the overcomers, and the Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come. He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He