“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

It holds a monetary value of about ten cents. A tiny plastic snowflake. Purchased from Wal-Mart. Nothing special. Just a sparkly filler for a spot on the Christmas tree. Not worth much of anything, until offered as a sacrifice.

As I laid in bed this morning, said snowflakes caught my eye.

“Give them to your children”, the Spirit prompted me.

“Tell them how intricate, unique, and valuable each and every snow flake is, and how their Father created them with such care. Valuable, exceptional, and unique.”

And so I did. It may not have meant much, but the attentiveness of the stare as I gifted each snowflake, said it meant something. It may be soon forgotten, but I pray it is not.

Why is this a sacrifice you ask?

Because it was done as an act of worship and obedience. It seemed a little awkward and weird to do. Sacrifice often does. A King born in a manger…not what we would expect. But He was born as a sacrifice, from birth to death, He came to save us.

Because sacrifice is my word of the year, I want to immerse myself in it. I want to live out every aspect of it. I want to study sacrifice. Internalize it.

Grant it, I will never know sacrifice as intense as my Lord who paid the ultimate price, but I desire just a glimpse of Holy that I might know Him more. Each small sacrifice, obedient step I take, I pray will bring me further towards understanding love that was born to die.

Thirty days of sacrifice. That’s what I commit to. What will it look like? I have no idea. But I will share with you here, and maybe the Lord will lead you on your own journey. With sacrifice…with your own “word” for the year…with whatever He speaks into your heart.

So let it begin…for me with 2 Wal-Mart snowflakes…so simple…and yet it began so long ago with a baby in a manger…so very simple…but when simple becomes sacrifice…well Hallelujah…love comes to set us free.