o what was your favorite gift? This will be the most memorable Christmas ever for some. For others it will be one they would rather not have to deal with again. You may be one of the fortunate who got just what they wanted. You may also be one of those who don't know why they were stuck with stuff they didn't need or want. This season can go either way. It is one of those defining times when we get out of our routine and have to think about things.

Last Sunday at Hillside Christian Church we talked about the things that make God smile. It is obvious from Scripture that He takes pleasure from many things. His son in a manger in Bethlehem was surely one of those. You will notice that throughout the Bible we are told how God makes things happen in unusual and unpredictable ways. Jesus' birth was another in a long line of "God things" that don't follow the normal course of events on earth.

From creating everything "out of nothing" and making man from dust instead of monkeys, God shows that all things, including the rules that govern them are His. From Noah's mighty boat in the dessert through the plagues in Egypt right up to the birth of the Messiah God demonstrates over and over that His will is not bothered by normalcy or the status quo.

From Jesus' birth through His ascension, His ministry on earth was not normal either by human standards. He did not go to kings, but to the poor and sick. He did not talk of taking captives, but of serving in the name of the Father. He paid the incomparable price for all through His own body. The pain was hideous to the Father and the Son, but the joy was indescribable. It all happened exactly the way God had planned. God still smiles about it.

The Father is looking for people who will notice the things He does and love and worship Him for them. He is looking for those who are not dazzled by the things of this life and can see that surrender to Jesus Christ, though not normal by human standards, is the only sensible thing to do. We can live lives that make God smile by choosing His son as Savior and then learning to minister as He did.

The gift you love the most will be the one you find to be the most valuable to you personally. God gave the greatest gift in Christ. Is He your favorite gift?

We are happy to announce that you can hear an excerpt of a recent sermon from Hillside on our home page. Just click on Dale's picture and follow the prompts.