The Christmas Season is once again upon us.

In my Our Daily Bread devoition this morning the Scripture reference was 1 Timothy 6:6-10 King James Version (KJV) (more of my thoughts on this below)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.themselves with many griefs.

It amazes me that so many of my devotionals lately have been on contentment lately, as I have mentioned to you guys in the past, contentment is a discipline that I learned while I was wrongfully incarcerated. I firmly believe that God allowed me to go through that trial to teach me how to be content where ever I was, in whatever the situation that I found myself in as well as to strengthen my family relationships and prepare us both for future trials and to assist others who had been through or were going through similar trials, even also to reach out to those who were in prison, and likely belonged there. It seems appropriate to me that God would continue to impress this on our hearts, especially during this time of year when we are bombarded with advertising for the "Christmas Season". Think about it, our children are bombarded with ads for every kind of toy and video game out there, we are bombarded with ads for new cars, new furniture we should treat ourselves to. But so many, yes, even Christians forget the reason that we celebrate this blessed time of year. We give gifts to others in remembrance of the wonderful gift that was given to us. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it is wrong to receive gifts, or even to want nice things, the idea though is to not let those things become idols by allowing them to displace the things in our hearts that God wants our hearts to be filled with, Love for Him, Love for our families, Love for others. Those are the things that endure. 
Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." This includes all earthly possessions.

 
The things that won't pass away are found in 1 Corinthians 13
Love1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Love endures all. Remember that this Christmas Season!