Christmas time is often about buying gifts for our family and friends. Let’s face it, we all like to receive gifts as well. But what about the poor and needy? What about the discouraged and down-hearted? What do we do for them? In the Old Testament, the Jews gave to the poor and needy during their times of great jubilation.
Nehemiah 8:10 “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Esther 9:22 “As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.”
What if this year we thought of others outside our realm of friends and family? What if we helped someone who could never return the favor? That would be different would it not? When our Lord came to this earth to bleed and die for the sins of mankind, He gave of Himself. We could never repay the free gift of eternal salvation He has offered.
2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
I was thrilled to be a part of the Christmas offering through Bible Baptist Church this year. This year’s offering was used to buy chairs for a brand new church in Honduras. They would never have been able to do this on their own. They are currently meeting under a tent with borrowed chairs. Praise the Lord we were able to help them!
This past week, after the evening service, many of us loaded on a bus and went to see Mrs. McClannahan at the rest home. She is our oldest church member and is still a blessing to so many. We sang Christmas carols and gave her a few gifts. (Big Hershey Bars-her favorite!) I pray that we will continue to think of our Lord and His desire for us to serve others as we continue through this Christmas season.
