WHAT GIFT ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE GOD THIS YEAR?

Two of Rick Warren's books were on my top 100 list that I posted last February. Here are some interesting comments he made today about Christmas.

"The whole idea of giving gifts at Christmas started with the wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus," bestselling author and pastor Rick Warren said today.

He further said, "Whoever heard of throwing a birthday party for somebody and everybody shows up with gifts for each other, but nothing for the person whose birthday is being celebrated?"

The founder of Saddleback Church in Southern California also said, "So I'm going to ask America today. What gift are you going to give God this year? How about giving him your time, life and love?"

He further said the basis of Christmas is the message from the angels at the first Christmas when they said they were bringing good tidings of great joy for all the people of the earth for this day a Saviour is born unto you. Warren then asked the rhetorical question, "What do we need saving from?"

He then answered his own question. "From ourselves, our past, our grief and grudges. Sometimes around Christmas time when families gather old grudges and difficulties can arise."

The bestselling author of "The Purpose Driven Life" said, "We can break down into three words what the angels were saying at that first Christmas. Celebration, Salvation and Reconciliation. So first of all we should have a party. We should celebrate.

Warren said, "And we do need a Savior. God would not have sent us one if we didn't need one."

Warren started Saddleback Church with one couple and his wife Kay in an apartment before building the church into one of the largest congregations in America with multiple services each week.