Corona Devo 1735

The Christmas season means a lot of shopping.  We often end up spending more money than we want on gifts that have very little meaning or value to the giver or recipient.  But I don' think we are hitting the Christmas mark when we engage in thhis type of giving and gifting.  

God's gift of His Son was a priceless gift, but Jesus was born in (lowly) manger and initially, (lowly) shepherds were the first people to visit the child, and the Bible does not mention that they brought any gifts for Him at all. 

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  ~Luke 2:7

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (16) And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. (17) Now when they had seen Him, they made [f]widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (18) And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (19) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (20)Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.  ~Luke 2:7, 15-20

It's a good time to consider the gifts we are buying and giving.  

We're spending, yes.  But perhaps a pricey gift is not always the most meaningful.  

Yesterday we were blessed to spread some Christmas cheer for only $1.50.

That's how much poinsettia plants were at Home Depot, and my husband had the idea to buy some and make a visit to the residents in our area nursing home.  

Their faces lit up to recieve the bright red Christmas flowers, and as we visited, we found a special spot in each of their rooms for the plant to have a place of honor during the Christmas season.  I am not sure what they enjoyed more: the pointsettias or a few minutes in conversation with people, but I think it was the chit-chat.  

It was the $1.50 red poinsettia flowers that started the visit off in each room, and while these were an inexpensive gift, the smiles that they brought were rich.

In this season of gift-giving, cost is not the most important factor.  

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.  ~Isaiah 1:17 

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In this season of giving, it doesn't have to be (just) gifts that we give to others.  Ask God how to use your treasure, and time and talents to bless others.  

One of my besties heads up a holiday meal ministry at her church to bless families who might not have a meal otherwise.  Lots of food is willingly donated and then carefully organized to bless needy families with turkeys, sides and desserts.  The food and the hearts behind this ministry are both nourishing on different levels, and people need both.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (17) If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (18) Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  ~I John 3:16-18  

Another of my good friends manages some of the Christmas-gifting for orphans and widows in our community and at an inner city sister-church.  The details involved in organizing the children-in-need, the gifts they wish-for, people to purchase gifts, and then having all the gifts purchased, turned back in by a set due-date, wrapped and then delivered...well: it's a mountain of responsibility.  

But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) and even with the myriad of variables), the Lord uses his people to make a way for this ministry to come together perfectly each year, and I have no doubt that this year will be no different.  

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  ~James 1:27

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Have you heard of Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child?  (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/)  This is an outreach by the Billy Graham Association to bring a shoebox of gifts and the hope of the Gospel to children around the world.  For only a few dollars, we can stuff a box with love, fun, and hope.  

My sister headed up this outreach for her church this year, and there is something special about catching a glimpse of how grateful some people can be for so little that really adjusts our Christmas mindset.

Make a box to send love to someone who needs it!

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

(36) When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.  ~Acts 20:35-36  

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The Christmas season can mean a lot of shopping, but what if we gave with our time, talents and selves this year, instead of just checking names off of a gift-list?  

The Lord has ministries and outreaches in mind for us...can we break free of society's holiday-mindset and spending long enough to listen for God's heart this season?  

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute."  ~Psalm 82:3   

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Our gift might not be monetary, or it might be a $1.50.  

What if instead of a a sweater, we gave a frozen turkey, and an afternoon to deliver it?   

To experience a "rich" Christmas season, let's connect/bless/gift the poor.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, (2) and he began to teach them.  He said: (3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  ~Matthew 5:1-3

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com