As Christmas is fast approaching, everyone starts to get excited. Whether it’s because of presents, breaks from school, spending time with family, spending time AWAY from co-workers, whatever the reason – most of us look forward to Christmas as the most anticipated holiday of the year. Now, one way to take this column would be to say – “BUT WE FORGET JESUS!” But I don’t think that’s true. We talk about Jesus all year round – if you are forgetting Jesus at Christmas, I don’t think we’re doing a very good job as a church, and that’s a whole ‘nother issue.
But what I will say is – let’s not forget those who have less. Christmas is a time meant for family, giving, and thanksgiving. However, if all of our focus is inward, I believe we neglect the gospel message that we are meant to bring to the world. Especially during this time when there’s so much to enjoy, can we really celebrate when we have brothers and sisters around us suffering? This is not meant to guilt people into forgoing their Christmas dinners and giving all the food away (although if you want to, don’t let me stop you). In Micah 6:8, the Bible says “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Are we doing that this holiday season? Are we acting justly and loving mercy and walking humbly with our God?
Maybe all it takes is to start a new tradition. Before opening presents, set one aside that can be donated to a local charity. Before Christmas dinner, stop by a local food bank to serve those in need. Perhaps it’s delivering a hot meal to a family in need. The fact is, we don’t need to travel overseas to help people – according to the Capital Area Food Bank, there are 78,000 people in Montgomery County who are food insecure. 78,000 of our neighbors who are unable to feed their families a full meal. Where is the justice, mercy, humility for them?
As I consider more and more what it means to be a good parent and am struggling with how to share the gospel with my kids, one thing I know I want to convey is how blessed we are – not just materially, but with the gift of salvation. We who are rich, can we not give more to those who are lacking? Jesus in his parable of the sheep and the goats refers to what we do for the “least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We won’t forget Jesus this Christmas. Let’s not forget the least of these as well.
P.S. If you have a heart for serving others or feel convicted to do more for your neighbors, please consider joining the newly formed Community Service ministry led by Eugene Rhee. We are not looking for people to commit all their free time to the causes we partner with – rather we just want people who have a heart to love our brothers and sisters on the margins. Please consider joining as we start up next year and have more announcements!
From Pastor David’s Heart
December 21, 2014