Christmas Fruit Cake

Merry Christmas!
Hey!  I finally made homemade cinnamon rolls!  They turned out yummy, but I have a long way to go until they are perfected and gift-giving worthy ;)
So since my rolls weren't out-of-family shareable AND the pesky fact I couldn't send you one via cyberspace anyway, I have decided to whip up a batch of Christmas Fruitcake.   The kind I can share with you via the internet.   Enjoy!  (I probably won't post for a few days, so just like the real thing, you can nibble off small bits over the next few days). :)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22,23

Love - For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16      This is what Christmas is all about.  That very first Christmas, God gave us the perfect gift of His Son.  Jesus came as a baby, fully human, so that when He grew up He could bear our human sins on the cross.  But  because He was also fully God and perfect, death could not hold Him down and Jesus rose victorious - forever conquering death!  All because a baby was born on the first Christmas....

Joy - But the angel said to them (shepherds), "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:10,11

Peace - "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." - 1 Corinthians 14:33   (This verse in context is referring to how people within a congregation shouldn't talk over one another in a disorderly fashion)  But I thought it appropriate during this season of so many "to-do" lists, shopping chaos, and scramble of places-to-be.  Remember amidst all the hustle and bustle that God is a God of peace.  Take a moment to just breathe and remember Christ this season.  May God's peace be with you this Christmas.

Patience - Anyone else struggle with this one?  I'm pretty sure we don't have it as rough as Paul did.....
               Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurnce; in troubles, hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love - 2 Corinthians 6:4-6a....
O-kay.  I suppose in light of that, I can be a bit more patient with my children. Or patient while God works out circumstances in a far better way than my limited mind could ever imagine!  (But can it hurry up and be time to open presents?!  I can't wait to see what I got....)

Kindness - And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomprable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:6-8. 
Oh.  I thought I at least had this fruit down.  I mean, I am kind. I share a piece of gum with a bad-breathed friend.  I hold the store door open for an elderly person.  Many times I bite my tongue when an unkind comment is on the tip of it.  But measured against the kindness of God in sending His only Son to die for me?  Well, I guess it puts a whole new light on "kindness".   

Goodness -  Test everything.  Hold on the to good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
                    Yes, there are lots of stresses this time of year.  Time and schedule stress.  Money stress.  Extended family stress.  For several there is also great sadness.  Loss of loved ones this past year. (My sympathies and prayers go out to you). Family far away and unable to gather around the same table for Christmas dinner. While we probably all have something getting us down this season,  I encourage us to look for the good God has placed in our lives.  May you truly have a Merry Christmas.

Faithfulness - What if some did not have faith?  Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?  Not at all! - Romans 3:3    and    I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.  I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You established Your faithfulness in heaven itself. - Psalms 89:1,2
 I pray you personally have faith in Jesus Christ.  That you believe He loved you so much he died on a cross and rose again - paying the penalty for all our sins. But even if you are reading this and haven't come to that point of trust and faith, know that God is faithful.   If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9
And for those of us who already believe, may we remember this verse on faithfulness, taken from the parable of the man who used his talents wisely:  Matthew 25:21 -  "His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant".  Oh to hear Jesus say that some day....

Gentleness - Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. - Philippians 4:5.  What is gentleness?  This is what comes to my mind:  Gentle is opposite of harsh.  Gentle is a mother holding her newborn babe.  Gentle is not pushing my way around.  Gentle is Daddy tenderly kissing his girl's cheek goodnight while tucking her cuddlies in around her.  Gentle is a breeze of fresh love-air in a harsh world. Gentle is the King of Kings coming to mankind as a baby.

Self-Control - I don't know about you, but I really struggle with this one!  Self-control in not over-eating.  Disciplined self-control to exercise regularly.  Self-Control in my thoughts and actions toward others. The list could go on and on. I think my problem is that I truly expect it to be Self-control.  When what I need is Spirit-control.  By myself I am weak, uncontrolled, and truth be told, anti-everything in this fruitcake.  Fortunately, as a child of God I do have the Holy Spirit.  I just need to remember to let the Holy Spirit be in control.  Because I sure don't want to be like Proverbs 25:28 -   Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.  

Well, I hope and pray you enjoyed your Christmas fruitcake.  I realize my cyber fruitcake might have been a bit dense like the real thing.  Sorry.  There were lots of fruit nuggets to cram in.  Each ingredient alone is really a whole post - or book.  Oh well.  Christmas comes but once a year.  If I couldn't insert a really long post today, when could I?!?

Merry Christmas!  May God's blessings and  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control  be yours today and always.  :)
-Britt