You must present as the LORD’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you. (Numbers 18:29)

When we first moved to California, I wondered about the ball-shaped plants I saw hanging in sycamore trees in the park near our home. I was charmed to learn they were mistletoe. Over time, though, I’ve witnessed how the pretty mistletoe, actually a parasitic plant, kills its host tree. 
 
For me, mistletoe represents the trappings of Christmas: blinking lights hung from the eaves with care, all manner of Christmas décor throughout the house, the tree (real or fake this year?), stockings (personalized, of course), shopping for gifts for everyone (don’t forget your hair stylist and the mailman), wrapping and delivering all those gifts, Christmas cards (preferably mailed with holiday stamps), Christmas cookies, the cookie exchange, binge-watching Christmas movies or TV specials, tours of other people’s Christmas lights, Santa Claus, caroling, concerts, family gatherings, the company holiday party, the neighborhood open house, and on and on. Like mistletoe, these things are attractive and appealing. But they require attention, effort, and time, of which we have finite quantities. If we’re not careful, the trappings can sink their haustoria (to use the technical botanical term) into the Christmas holiday and suck the meaning and significance – the life – out of it.
 
I’m not suggesting an ascetic, Grinch-like Christmas celebration! I am suggesting that we take time to seek the Lord and His guidance. This week, consider laying your Christmas To Do list and your December calendar before Him. Tell Him that your best belongs to Him. Ask Him what things He would have you and your family do and where to draw the line. Ask Him to help you do all things Christmas with joy and for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.
 

Here are some other suggestions for prayer this week:

1.  Lord, help us invite Your constructive conviction and reject the crushing condemnation hurled by the enemy of our souls. Help us know the difference and respond accordingly.
 
2.  At our annual business meeting in June, we approved the 2016/17 budget in a landslide. Since then, giving has funded that (prorated) budget at a level no greater than 87%. Pray for yourself and for all of us, asking the Lord to evaluate our giving and our resources and show us the changes He desires.
 
3.  A member of our Calvary family battling depression has anonymously requested prayer.  The Lord knows the details; we don’t need them to lift this individual to His throne.
 
4.  Lift up our college students, who are wrapping up their fall semesters. Pray for energy, good health, and wise time management. Pray that they will keep first things first, even in stressful crunch times.
 
5.  Praise God for the many generous people who are providing Christmas gifts for the Hacienda Victoria orphanage in Mexico. Pray for smooth transit of the 107 gift bags across the border. Pray that the gifts will communicate the love and care of our heavenly Father to the children and staff.
 
6.  We affirm every Sunday that the Lord is worthy of praise and worship. He is also confidence-worthy. Remind yourself in His presence that when He is leading you, there is no need and no place for anxiety or second-guessing.
 
7.  Patty Bates asks for prayer for her dear friend, Laura Estanilsau, who was in a plane crash last Friday night. Laura broke both legs, an ankle, pelvis, ribs, arm, collar bone and will need reconstructive surgery on her face. The pilot lost his life in the small two-seater plane. Laura and her husband have two very young children.
 

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea