Merry Christmas! Sunday morning millions of people will give and receive millions of gifts that will be loved and cherished. But some will be returned and others will be regifted, passed along to someone else. Our families and loved ones give us presents at Christmas and on our birthdays. LinC reminds us that the Holy Spirit blesses us with gifts all the time that we can use in service of God and others. And unlike the size-too-small sweater from the aunt you see once a year, the Spirit’s gifts aren’t to be returned or regifted. Key Scriptues: Exodus 4:1-17; 2 Kings 2:1-15; Acts 13:13; 15:36-40. . . . and a happy New Year! January 1, perhaps more than any other day of the year, is a day on which people commit to making changes in their lives. Regardless of whether you have made any New Year’s resolutions, the first of the year is as good a time as any to evaluate your habits. What might you need to let go of? What new habits should you take on? More importantly, what do your decisions and commitments say about your relationship with God? Next week we’ll ring in 2012 with a look at the commitments we can make next year and beyond.