Christmas COCOA

Being intentional about celebrating the true meaning of Christmas...
I stole this from a Proverbs 31 devotional. It blessed me and I hope it will you!

COCOA

C= Christ.
Spending as much time seeking God's heart as we do the perfect present for another.

O= Ornament
We can easily spend more time decorating our house to look like the holiday edition of a magazine, than we do adorning our inner spirit with God’s love and compassion. Let’s ask God to make our hearts beautiful by giving us His patience and kindness. Then let’s look for ways to bless those around us, especially those in need.

C= Cheerfully Celebrate the Season
“A happy heart makes a face look cheerful. But a sad heart produces a broken spirit.” Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)
As gift lists grow and calendars get full, our physical and emotional energy can be drained. Although Christmas is meant to be a joyous season, many of us struggle with depression and discouragement during this time of the year. Let’s take time each day to focus on how much we are valued and loved as children of God. The holidays are merely a season, but God’s love and compassion for us are permanent.

O= Overjoyed not Overwhelmed
"When they saw the star they were overjoyed..." Matt. 2:10
When we focus our hearts on all God has done, we won’t get as easily overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done.

A= Abundance
Whenever I think of Christmas morning, from my childhood to the present, the word ABUNDANCE comes to mind. Abundance of presents, food and activities. But these things are temporary. What we need is the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Our hearts need His mercy, peace and love, not only on Christmas day, but every day throughout each year.

Praying a COCOA Christmas for each of you!!