From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Today begins the great season of Advent.
It is the time of year that leads up to the celebration of Christmas, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas means a lot of things to people, depending on who you talk to about it.
For some it is about family and friends and the enjoyment of spending time together.
For others it is a few days off at the end of a busy month and year.
Still others see the original purpose for the holiday, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who came to be our Saviour.
I think most would agree, however, that if there is a common denominator for all who celebrate Christmas it would be this: it is a season of giving.
Since Christmas originated with God, He is the One who set the bar high when it comes to giving.
As the Hallmark people would say, He cared enough to give the very best. The apostle John sums that up nicely in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Do you have any plans for giving during this upcoming Christmas season?
I am thinking beyond the usual gifts we exchange with family and friends whom we know and love.
I am instead thinking of those whom you may never meet or ever be able to pay you back.
What are you doing for those people?
It does not take much effort or resources to make a difference in the life of another.
Ask a nurse at a nursing home which residents get very few visitors and see about how you might reach out to them. Find out someone who is undergoing cancer treatment and get them a card with a small gift card slipped inside.
Offer free babysitting to a single mom who needs to get out for some Christmas shopping.
Drop some money in the Salvation Army kettle while you are out shopping.
Gather some friends and make arrangements to go caroling at the homes of widows and widowers.
The sky is the limit.
I realize that this year was a bummer in so many ways due to the COVID virus but hey, it’s the season for giving, folks, so get out there and get in on the action!
