Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Christmas Jar
This is just an outstanding way to put our faith into action. James 2:14 says, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?" The Christmas Jar is rich with opportunity to show our faith at work in a way that will bless someone and in the blessing will point them directly to God, who loves them.
Our Pastor challenged us this year to step up to the challenge of the Christmas Jar. Our church supplied the jars, and we started collecting loose change in September. Our goal was to have a full jar by December 19. On that day we were to bring our jars to church, where we would pray over them and attach a small card that stated simply that this gift is to show the recipient that God loves them and to wish them a Merry Christmas.
The project took more effort than I expected. I use a debit card for most purchases now, so I had to actually change my mode of operation in order to generate the change necessary. As we approached the deadline, I was a bit short and I began to consider different strategies for filling my jar to the brim. We keep a large water jar that the family collectively fills throughout the year. Last year we used that money toward putting a sidecar on my motorcycle, so my special needs son and I can ride around together. There certainly was enough there to finish the job. But this was my personal project, and I did not feel that was the right answer.
As I pondered this question, Holy Spirit said this to me one day, "Don't worry about whether or not the jar is full. I will see to it that the amount in the jar on December 19 is the right amount." From that moment I stopped thinking about the jar needing to be filled, but any change that I had in my pocket at the end of the day was gladly deposited in the Mason jar. I came to relish the hiss as vacuum released each time I opened the jar.
Finally, December 19 arrived. That morning was already electric with excitement. We had performed our Christmas Program to a full house on Friday and our Pastor was so excited by it that he was giving us the opportunity to do it again Sunday morning.
It was cold at 7:45 a.m. As I drove to the church I saw a man walking along Route 50. At first I thought maybe it was someone from my church, but I quickly realized it was not. The thermometer on my dashboard read 14 degrees. This was no place for someone to be walking at that time of the morning in this cold weather. I pulled over.
He told me he was walking home from work! The distance was at least 11 miles. He said that he would normally take the bus, but on Sunday mornings it doesn't run until 10.00. As we talked about how cold it was outside he said that a year ago he was living in Virginia Beach . I asked what he was doing in Virginia Beach and he said he had gone there with a woman. When I asked what had brought him back to the frozen north he said the woman had thrown him and his 12 year-old daughter out about three months ago and he came home to Ballston Spa.
He asked if I was going to work. I told him no, I was on my way to church and I pointed it out as we passed Abundant Life. He said that I could drop him off, I didn't have to take him all the way. I said I was glad to do it.
When I did drop him off, I reached for the Christmas Jar and handed it to him (even though I knew we were supposed to bring them to church and pray over them first). I said, "This is for you, so that you know that God loves you. Merry Christmas." He hugged the jar tightly against his chest and said with excitement, "Thanks! Thank you!" As he got out of the car I wished him Merry Christmas again. As he was walking away he stopped, turned around, waved and mouthed the words, "Thank you" again, with a big smile on his face.
As I drove away I marveled at how quickly and easily God brought someone into my path who was truly in need of the money and, perhaps more important, was in need of some encouragement.
We don't have to wait until next Christmas to collect a Christmas jar. There are many people who need a blessing and some encouragement throughout the year. They may need the money and the additional message that God loves them may penetrate their heart. Or, they may be more in need of the message that God loves them. After all, we all do need the love of God, and he does desire that everyone would know him and would invite him into their lives.
So, I invite you. Collect your spare change. Be a messenger of God's love to someone in 2011. It may just change their life, and your life, too.
God bless you in 2011!
Our Pastor challenged us this year to step up to the challenge of the Christmas Jar. Our church supplied the jars, and we started collecting loose change in September. Our goal was to have a full jar by December 19. On that day we were to bring our jars to church, where we would pray over them and attach a small card that stated simply that this gift is to show the recipient that God loves them and to wish them a Merry Christmas.
The project took more effort than I expected. I use a debit card for most purchases now, so I had to actually change my mode of operation in order to generate the change necessary. As we approached the deadline, I was a bit short and I began to consider different strategies for filling my jar to the brim. We keep a large water jar that the family collectively fills throughout the year. Last year we used that money toward putting a sidecar on my motorcycle, so my special needs son and I can ride around together. There certainly was enough there to finish the job. But this was my personal project, and I did not feel that was the right answer.
As I pondered this question, Holy Spirit said this to me one day, "Don't worry about whether or not the jar is full. I will see to it that the amount in the jar on December 19 is the right amount." From that moment I stopped thinking about the jar needing to be filled, but any change that I had in my pocket at the end of the day was gladly deposited in the Mason jar. I came to relish the hiss as vacuum released each time I opened the jar.
Finally, December 19 arrived. That morning was already electric with excitement. We had performed our Christmas Program to a full house on Friday and our Pastor was so excited by it that he was giving us the opportunity to do it again Sunday morning.
It was cold at 7:45 a.m. As I drove to the church I saw a man walking along Route 50. At first I thought maybe it was someone from my church, but I quickly realized it was not. The thermometer on my dashboard read 14 degrees. This was no place for someone to be walking at that time of the morning in this cold weather. I pulled over.
He told me he was walking home from work! The distance was at least 11 miles. He said that he would normally take the bus, but on Sunday mornings it doesn't run until 10.00. As we talked about how cold it was outside he said that a year ago he was living in Virginia Beach . I asked what he was doing in Virginia Beach and he said he had gone there with a woman. When I asked what had brought him back to the frozen north he said the woman had thrown him and his 12 year-old daughter out about three months ago and he came home to Ballston Spa.
He asked if I was going to work. I told him no, I was on my way to church and I pointed it out as we passed Abundant Life. He said that I could drop him off, I didn't have to take him all the way. I said I was glad to do it.
When I did drop him off, I reached for the Christmas Jar and handed it to him (even though I knew we were supposed to bring them to church and pray over them first). I said, "This is for you, so that you know that God loves you. Merry Christmas." He hugged the jar tightly against his chest and said with excitement, "Thanks! Thank you!" As he got out of the car I wished him Merry Christmas again. As he was walking away he stopped, turned around, waved and mouthed the words, "Thank you" again, with a big smile on his face.
As I drove away I marveled at how quickly and easily God brought someone into my path who was truly in need of the money and, perhaps more important, was in need of some encouragement.
We don't have to wait until next Christmas to collect a Christmas jar. There are many people who need a blessing and some encouragement throughout the year. They may need the money and the additional message that God loves them may penetrate their heart. Or, they may be more in need of the message that God loves them. After all, we all do need the love of God, and he does desire that everyone would know him and would invite him into their lives.
So, I invite you. Collect your spare change. Be a messenger of God's love to someone in 2011. It may just change their life, and your life, too.
God bless you in 2011!
Monday, December 27, 2010
The first to preach the Good News
Merry Christmas to all!
One of my favorite portions of the Christmas story in the Bible is the account of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. This story is rich just on its very surface. An angel appearing to the shepherds, then a multitude of angels appearing. Singing praise songs. Now, there is a worship session I would like to attend! I always hear the Hallelujah Chorus in my mind's ear when I read this scene. Tidings of great joy. Peace and goodwill. This story includes the heart of the Christmas message, and the promise of the life God desires for us to live, what life is like when we live in His kingdom.
But there is another aspect of this story that often gets lost in the grandeur of the immediate message.
The shepherds are the first New Testament preachers of the Good News!
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
(Luke 2:16-18, New Living Translation)
Let's stop and think for a moment who these shepherds were. They were considered some of the lowest characters in Jewish society. They didn't own the sheep they were watching over. They were hired hands who spent most of their time separated from the rest of society and mostly among other shepherds. They were considered story tellers and liars, and could not even testify in a court of law.
And yet, these were the very men to whom God chose reveal the birth of His son. They acted on this astonishing news without hesitating. And, once they had seen for themselves, they immediately reported everything to anyone who would listen.
Why did God choose them?
Some time later Jesus would tell his disciples that it was God's pleasure to reveal his wisdom to "little children."
Did God choose them because they had nothing to lose? No pride of station in life that would stop them from telling everything just as they had experienced it?
What about us? A new year is about to begin. I don't know about you, but I would like to continue the tradition that those shepherds started 2,000 years ago.
One of my favorite portions of the Christmas story in the Bible is the account of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. This story is rich just on its very surface. An angel appearing to the shepherds, then a multitude of angels appearing. Singing praise songs. Now, there is a worship session I would like to attend! I always hear the Hallelujah Chorus in my mind's ear when I read this scene. Tidings of great joy. Peace and goodwill. This story includes the heart of the Christmas message, and the promise of the life God desires for us to live, what life is like when we live in His kingdom.
But there is another aspect of this story that often gets lost in the grandeur of the immediate message.
The shepherds are the first New Testament preachers of the Good News!
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
(Luke 2:16-18, New Living Translation)
Let's stop and think for a moment who these shepherds were. They were considered some of the lowest characters in Jewish society. They didn't own the sheep they were watching over. They were hired hands who spent most of their time separated from the rest of society and mostly among other shepherds. They were considered story tellers and liars, and could not even testify in a court of law.
And yet, these were the very men to whom God chose reveal the birth of His son. They acted on this astonishing news without hesitating. And, once they had seen for themselves, they immediately reported everything to anyone who would listen.
Why did God choose them?
Some time later Jesus would tell his disciples that it was God's pleasure to reveal his wisdom to "little children."
Did God choose them because they had nothing to lose? No pride of station in life that would stop them from telling everything just as they had experienced it?
What about us? A new year is about to begin. I don't know about you, but I would like to continue the tradition that those shepherds started 2,000 years ago.
