It’s Christmas time around the world. Joy, Joy Joy!!! Yes, that is the message that is portrayed by decorations, television, Facebook, radio, and friends. Everywhere you look there is expectation and wonder and joy projected. I love the season, the anticipation, and even the “magic” of the season.  Of course, we know that the magic is Jesus Christ and what He has done for us all. But, when I think of those around the world who cannot share in this joy, abundance, and anticipation because they are hopeless, destitute, sick, and even dying, I realize that there is more to the story- the story of Christmas.

The magic of Christmas is that it gave us the biggest giver of all time – Jesus. We who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ know that it is in the giving. That is what brings the greatest joy. So, friends, if you are reading this and you are feeling less than joyful, even desperate, penniless, and depressed, take hope. Jesus is ready to give to all.

Now, that is a bold statement for me since I do not know your situation. But, I am ready to give to all that come to me with their hand out. That is my reasonable service. Because as one of His, I am called to give when I do not feel giving, to love when I do not feel loving, to encourage when I need encouragement myself, and to pray for others and uplift them when I do not feel encouraged myself.

Are you experiencing any of those things in this season when all around you they are giving you the message of joy, celebration, anticipation and well being, yet you are not feeling any of those things? If so, then try giving to someone who is experiencing just what you are experiencing. I know that it is in the giving that we receive. God always replaces in us what we give out. In Luke 6:38 it says “ Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  

If you try it and ask for the Lord to help you do it in the right spirit, it will always come back to bless you and in unexpected ways. There was a great man of God named Saint Francis of Assisi who gave us a great prayer to pray. It says, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness light; and where there is sadness, joy. Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

If you look, you will find them. They are all over the world…the hungry, the naked, the sick, and the destitute. If you just go outside of your door, you will find that people all over the world and all over your neighborhood need what you have to give as Jesus’ own. This season, give and it will be given to you. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me! And remember that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Written by:  Joyce Euren
Published on: 12/5/2017