Christmas Is For Others...Not Just Me!

So, last night I was spilling my sad tale of woe about not being able to go Christmas shopping because I just can't seem to get my act together.  (Click the blue underlined words to see that post).
To be honest, I actually did do some Christmas shopping when I went to the local D.G. with my 91-year-old mother in law yesterday.  It just wasn't for my family.  And, for some reason, that seemed to be a lot easier, more fun, and very fulfilling! Why?  Because it was for others...people who won't have any gifts on Christmas unless strangers give them something.

Recently I have mentioned to you that we have been having a Bible Fellowship in our home on Sundays.  It is a very small gathering, mostly of our immediate family and a couple of neighbors. Anyone is welcome, but we are not trying to compete with any other church or group.  We are doing this for now as it seems to be the way the Lord has been leading us.  Anyway, one of our friends has a handicapped son who lives in a kind of "assisted living" home, and many of the other residents there do not have anyone who visits them or any close family or friends.  They seem to be the forgotten ones, living in a place where their basic needs for food, shelter, and healthcare are being met, but the need for love, companionship, family and friends is often left unmet. So the suggestion was made that perhaps we could gather some little gifts for them and our friend will deliver them this week when she goes to visit.

I can only tell you that we had such a great time of fellowship today after our worship time followed by a shared lunch, as we wrapped simple things like word search books/puzzles, lotions, shampoos, soaps, playing cards, manicure sets, and other personal items for them, and labelled them so the attendants would know how to give them to the residents.

It made each of us feel so good that we were doing something to lift the spirits of others...such a simple thing, really.

I would love to be there when they receive their gifts to see the looks on their faces as they realize that these items are just for them...and that people do care about them.

I know many of you are doing other similar types of charitable acts at Christmas.  The church where I currently work gathered many gifts for children living in a home for orphans, which I know will be a huge blessing for those kids as well as their houseparents.   Some church groups do the "Operation Christmas Child" ministry to kids in foreign lands that Samaritan's Purse sponsors every year.

There are so many needs everywhere, for people young and old, near and far.  If we each could do our part in some small way, what a blessing that would be for so many.  

I can only say that for me, this was a huge blessing.  I needed to find a way to reach out to others less fortunate than myself.  I am not telling you this to give myself any credit.  It wasn't my idea...I had to be prompted and directed...and I had to step outside of myself to reach out and touch others and give them hope and show them Christ's love at Christmas.

Sometimes we wonder what we can do to show our love for Jesus at Christmas.  This is just one small example.  I am certain you can think of other ways to show Jesus your love.  Here is a sweet example from a child:

"What Can I Give Him? I'll Give Him My Heart"...from a "Living  Christmas Tree" program found on YouTube.  I think you'll enjoy this little song, sung so sweetly by such a darling child...and such a message. 

I pray that God will help me be aware of other ways to be a blessing to others as we begin this New Year.  That is my "New Year's Resolution" for 2015.  

"What Can I Give Him?...Give Him My Heart"  Amen.