Pastor's Corner
December 2007
"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Acts 20:35b
"...and do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13:16
Dear Church Family,
Why is it at Christmas time so many in our culture get caught up in giving to others? Why are billions of dollars spent on gifts and charities often receive their largest donations of the year? Why is it that people brave long lines, incredible parking challenges and often disgruntled retail clerks to pick just the right gift for Johnny or Susie or Aunt Pearl? What drives us to give as a society in this season when for the 11 other months of the year we can be pretty selfish?!
My answer to the above questions is not to cynically think that it has to do with guilt or an attempt to “get through giving”. I believe that we are created in the image of God (the “imago dei” of Genesis 1:26) and even though we are affected in every way by our fall into sin, we still have “echoes” (if you will) of what God intended for us to be. One of those “echoes” is to be givers as God is by nature a giver. Somehow when we give to others we know that it is a good thing!
Now as Christians complete in Christ, we know that giving is to characterize our lives all year long and not just at Christmas. Whatever the motivation of the world at Christmas, we know that our motivation is the command of Christ and the example of Christ. In other words, we give as we have been given to! We would do so lovingly, sacrificially and intentionally whether we had Christmas as a holiday or not!
I would encourage us all then to embrace the spirit and the activity of giving to others. To look for creative ways to give like the family I heard of in our church who makes Christmas goodies and on Christmas day goes to the local fire stations and hospitals to share the goodies with those who have to work that day. To look for opportunities to give to the places with “kettles and kitchens”, where the poor, downtrodden and hurting are helped. To seek to offer the gifts of a smile, a kind word or a “Merry Christmas” to those at work, at the market or in the mall. To, in short, be what God in Christ has called us to be year-round— givers as we have been given! It really is “more blessed to give than to receive”!
Serving with you,
P.S. I was reminded of what we have been given as a church as I looked through our beautiful 100 YearAnniversary Calendar! I fought back tears as I looked at the pictures of our legacy and remembered the giving of those who have gone before to allow us to serve Christ today! A huge “thank you” to those who lovingly put this beautiful calendar together as a way to honor our past blessings! God bless you!
