As of this past Thursday, Thanksgiving wreaths and garland, bales of hay, and pumpkins are being replaced by lights on homes, stockings on fireplaces, and trees decorated with shiny balls and beautiful ribbon. As a well-known song says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go.” When Christmas is in view, that means it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For some, especially children and youth, it’s the most wonderful time of the year because of the gifts that will be received plus the 2 weeks they get out of school, but for others (mainly middle-aged and older adults), it’s quite the opposite.
Many people see Christmas as the time of year to give back, to help someone in need, and to serve others. And that is as it should be.
If it were not for the birth (and ultimately the death and resurrection) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, majority of us would be in places/situations that are far worse than the ones we are in now. An innocent life was given for our redemption, for our forgiveness, and for our transgressions.
Jesus is the reason for the season; He is the best gift any of us could receive. And what better way to celebrate His life than by doing what He did while He walked this earth: serving, helping, forgiving, and {most importantly} unconditionally loving ALL people no matter what walk of life they came from or what they did in their lives.
How do you plan to give during the most wonderful time of the year? Make care packages for the elderly? Be a listening ear for someone who’s experiencing tough times? Feed the homeless? Encourage someone? Buy a gift for a child who is less fortunate? Volunteer at a soup kitchen?
There are many ways to give; just do whatever is pleasing to you and brings your heart joy. Remember: it’s a blessing to be a blessing AND God will reward you publicly for what you do for others privately.
