A Meditation for This Season:
Don't Save It All For Christmas Day
Elizabeth, a single working mom living in West Dallas with three kids received help last Christmas from our church partner- The Crossing. The church came; bringing tree, gifts, decorations, and food, lifting this families spirit through the Christmas season.
They didn’t stop there; they extended their spirit of giving past Christmas. Throughout the year, helping with utilities bills, car repairs, food, friendship, and welcoming Elizabeth into their church family. The Crossing is an unusual church, deciding to invest the majority of its resources into people outside the church, rather than inside infrastructure.
Today, Elizabeth is seen at the front of the church greeting and serving, a valuable asset to helping others.
Living in the inner city, the faces of the working poor are a daily reminder that little acts of kindness make a difference. Last night, Beverly, a humble mother of four small kids appeared at the door for counsel on how to make it through hard times. She didn’t come asking for food for her empty pantry, and hungry children. She wanted to know how we made it through those same hard times. A few hours later, with tears streaming down her face, on her knees praising God, her pantry and refrigerator were full. The challenge is how to encourage the blessed to give blessings not just on Christmas Day, but throughout the year.
Sitting with a wealthy couple at dinner recently, the wife and mother shared her concerns about her young children’s lack of appreciation for their blessings. I shared how our twelve and nine-year old girls are regularly involved in delivering groceries to our neighbors, having to give up important valued toys for a child in need to receive a new one. I shared how they pray for the sick with no medical care, regularly give their small savings to help someone in need, and willingly give their nice clothes to someone without.
The wistful look in her eyes of what she desired for her children came with a sobering reflection that having children who think of others, before or as much as themselves, came with a price.
Maybe, this year it can began at home. Don’t get so busy that you miss giving a smile, a kiss, a hug, to the ones that are closest to you… if we can’t love those who are close, we will never love those further away.
When shoppers are in line at the last moment rushing to buy expensive toys to be forgotten in month’s time, there will be a child in line wanting to buy a small candle or pair of shoes for her mom , a mother counting her change to see if she has enough to provide a meal for her family, and a father weary from manual labor deciding how much he can spend this season.
At various times, when resources are available, I buy Wal-Mart cards to help families in need. I visit my local poor areas of the city looking for single moms counting change at the cashier, anxious shoppers in aisles computing if they had enough money, and give them the gift cards and pray for them.
Imagine what would happen if every family took a day off from shopping for themselves and went shopping this way for others. They would know what Christmas is all about.
When the holidays have come and gone, along with the generous support of kind donors, the need for love will still live on. Seasons, reasons... they don’t matter, so don’t hold back.
How many people are asking: Don’t save it all for Christmas Day, find a way even when holidays have come and gone, to extend the love of Christ throughout the year.
It can begin now with our need for winter coats, blankets and food. Please give generously by clicking here.
