Family Activities During Holidays and Anniversaries
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we are indebted to the Giver of all mercies; and it is due to God to
recognize His gifts and to present our offerings of gratitude to our
greatest benefactor. These birthday gifts are recognized of Heaven.
Teach them to review the past year of their life, to consider whether
they would be glad to meet its record just as it stands in the books of
heaven. Encourage in them serious thoughts, whether their deportment,
their words, their works, are of a character pleasing to God. Have they
been making their lives more like Jesus, beautiful and lovely in the
sight of God? Teach them the knowledge of the Lord, His ways, His
precepts.
I have said to my family and my friends, I desire that no one
shall make me a birthday or Christmas gift, unless it be with permis-
sion to pass it on into the Lord’s treasury, to be appropriated in the
establishment of missions
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The Adventist Home, 472-476