We should always view children as gifts of Divine favor. Father and mother are equally important to a child’s mental and physical development. Our children watch what we say and do, not just to them only but also to others.
 
During their formative years, children learn whether or not they can trust what their parents say. Each action by a parent creates a reaction in a child’s conscience and attitude. I learned early in my lessons on parenting that children have great expectations from parents. In addition to unconditional love and guidance, our young people expect us to provide everything they need and want.
 
One of the primary lessons parents should master, is to refrain from making promises they do not intend to or may be unable to keep. Children are vulnerable and easily disappointed by broken promises. Memories of unkept promises can remain like a scar from chickenpox and hang around like unresolved memory dents. A broken promise is a broken vow.
 
As an adult, I have experienced many disappointments. Although I vaguely remember some of them, I don’t carry them with me like a backpack or an extra piece of luggage. Yet, they do serve as a reminder that I have a ‘go-to’ I can always count on who will never break a promise.
 
For just a moment, let’s talk about the nature of a promise. First, a promise is a declaration/pledge that a person will or won’t do something. Next, a promise is an expectation of gaining something positive or better. However, some promises include negative consequences.
 
It is hard to imagine anything that could guarantee no broken promises during our life journey. But if you are willing to treat your soul and spirit to adventure, it would be exciting to learn about a few unbreakable promises.
 

• You are never alone. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6))
• Do Not be discouraged or afraid. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7; Deuteronomy 31:8)
• There may be a time of waiting on your part, but there is one who will take care of every need. “And my God will fill every need of yours according to his glorious wealth in union with Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:10)
• Circumstances in this world are fluid and subject to change. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
• God never stops loving you. “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever.” (Psalm 100:5)

 
In our current environment, we face an onslaught of broken promises. Many of the things in which we invested time, energy, and money are like a bowl of fruit-flavored gelatin or pudding. They are shaky, have a weak foundation, and give little return. Unkept promises can bring about an unhealthy situation and weaken the core of any relationship. Broken promises are worthless.
 
Unlike monetary or human endowments, God's promises are a solid and validated investment. They never fail, and there is always a return. In fact, they come with an eternal guarantee of “Yes and Amen.”
(2 Corinthians 1:20).
 
In this unfolding new year, before making resolutions that you won’t or can’t keep, consider learning more about the promises of God with confidence that He will never break His promise. It is impossible for Him to lie. (Hebrews 6:18)

During this time of year, there is so much activity and focus on one of the holidays called “Christmas.” Its origin has led to a colossal mixture of ways in which we celebrate. Each celebration appears to include symbolism pointing to a new beginning.

For the Christian community, it is identified as a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. For others, it is the time to celebrate the Winter Solstice, which marks the onset of winter at the time of the shortest day. It determines the number of hours and minutes each hemisphere receives sunlight, so these festivities focus on the sun.

In many families, it is a time of gift-buying and giving, Christmas trees, gleeful smiles of expectation of toys, games, and other items on wish lists of young people and Santa Claus for small children.

Then, there is the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the feast of dedication and festival of lights celebrating the miracle of the one-day supply of oil that extended the flame in the Temple for eight days. This is not a celebration of Christmas, but its celebration date falls within the Christmas holiday season.

And there is still one more thing to be added to the mix—depression. With this year being one of the most unusual to be recorded in history, some people will not find it a particularly appealing time. There is an endless list of things that could cause depression or dampen our spirits. However, I will not mention them since they remind me of gutter balls in a bowling alley or a foul ball at a baseball game. In either scenario, there are no shouts of victory.

Given this mixture, how can each of us appreciate and enjoy the holiday? Here are a few thoughts on the subject:

• Focus on God’s love for you and others as the alternative to spending money and buying presents. (Luke 10:27)
• Seek ways to give gifts that will remain after the holiday has passed: a kind word, a hug, a homemade gift, or a card.
• Avoid bingeing on fairytale productions. They can produce temporary positive emotions, but they are not reality.
• Free yourself from being a prisoner of overspending or feeling obligated to give a present. We have been blessed with a calendar year of 365 days. You can always give gifts that can be delivered on another date.
• Refuse and reject becoming involved in controversy over saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” We are blessed with the freedom to express either sentiment, and the person hearing it has the choice to like or dislike it. Say it with a smile! You won’t be arrested for using either expression.
• Center on what lies ahead in the new year. Plan to receive and accomplish something creative, fresh, and new. (Isaiah 42:9)

In other countries, they celebrate their traditional Christmas holiday in multiple ways. We are blessed in this country to be able to enjoy this holiday season with different views. Respect for the opinions of others is one of our freedoms even though we may disagree with their thinking. During this season, if we thank God for His everlasting gift of Love for all of us and acknowledge that all perfect gifts come from Him, then true celebration is expressed. (Psalm 103:17; John 3:16; Romans 8:39; James 1:17).