I remember when I was a little girl as soon as our family opened up all of our presents I would rush to call my friend who lived right next door to see what she got for Christmas and then we would visit each other to see everything. It seems those first few days after Christmas everywhere you go people are asking you what you got. Why not say: What did you give? After all, it is not our birthday that we are celebrating. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with getting or giving gifts, we just need to make sure that our focus is on Jesus.
Anyway, as I reflect on the true meaning of Christmas I am reminded of what this world is like and how we can try to change the mindset of people along the way, especially our children, about what it means to give. So instead of telling you all the wonderful things I received this Christmas let me tell you about the favorite gift that I gave.
My favorite gift that I gave was given to my two children who in turn gave to someone in need. Last week I gave them each a certain amount of money and told them they couldn’t keep it but had to find someone to give it to or to buy something with it to help someone else in need. It couldn’t be someone they knew.
When the kids and I went to teach last Monday in the compound we found out about a little orphan boy named Emanuel who is 11, but looks like he is 8, and is HIV positive. The woman in charge of the school said he needed a back pack for school. She did not want us to just give him the money because she said the aunt would just keep it for herself and it wouldn’t go to the child. So my daughter bought the back pack and my son bought some school supplies. I added some cookies and banana bread. Emmanuel had the biggest smile on his little face when we gave him his gift and of course I had tears in my eyes.
So, what did you give for Christmas?
Editor’s Note: Praise God for the blessing of being able to give. Pray that we will be able to pass that knowledge on to our children. Pray for an opportunity to give something today.
(names, locations and blog links omitted due to security issues)
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for the highest good of this missionary and all the other missionaries around the world. May thy will be done. May thy kingdom come to this missionary and all people who call themselves Christians. Praise God from whom all blessing flow, forever. In Jesus name, I pray that the knowledge of the glory of God coverthe earth like the water covers the sea. In Jesus name, I pray for the highest good of the missionaries. Amen.