You can tell from how people in general are
fine with celebrating Christmas, even when they are not believers. Many offices
have Christmas parties, not worrying about whether they would offend staff who
hold different religions. After all, everyone over in Singapore seems to agree
that a year-end holiday, presents and parties, are a good thing regardless of
what religious beliefs you hold.
In the midst of the happy vibes all over, I
just want to remind you that there are people who are not in the festive mood.
In fact, the festivities everywhere only alienates them and makes them feel
even more left out and alone.
I’m talking about the poor.
Matthew 26:11 (NIV) - The poor you will always have
with you…
And when they see people around them
celebrating, buying loads of expensive stuff (maybe on credit cards? Not a
smart idea!) and partying, and they go home (if they have a home) and pain
hits…
Galatians 2:10 (NKJV) - They desired only that we
should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
So as you enjoy the season, celebrate the
birth of Jesus (yeah, I know all the stuff about it not being on 25th December
and all that), take a while to remember the poor, both those in your church and
outside of it. Take a while to remember that they will always need a bit of
practical kindness, a little more love shown, especially during a season when
they can feel unwanted and left out. Or they may grieve more deeply for loved
ones that have left them, like widows and orphans.
1 Timothy 5:5 (NIV) - The widow who is really in need
and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and
to ask God for help.
Put yourself in this widow’s shoes for a
moment, in such a bad situation that she has to pray for help night and day.
This verse, by the way, puts paid to a common Word-of-Faith idea that if you
trust God for what you pray for, you should ask for it once and after that just
thank God in faith. I do practice that, but I see from 1 Timothy 5:5 that we
cannot say that anyone who keeps asking does not have faith. The words “to
pray” in the above passage is translated as “supplications” in the New King
James Version, and the Bible says such a widow trusts in God. So God has no
problems with us supplicating him for our needs day and night!
The point of what I am saying, however, is
that the poor are amongst us. What are we going to do about it?
And if you are the one who is poor,
struggling to pay your rent, put food on the table and still trying to keep
your children’s spirits up, let me just tell you that God has not forgotten
you. He wants to help, to provide for your needs…
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) - And my God will meet all your
needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
… but he wants you to do your part and
trust him. Go out and bless someone else, just as the Philippian churches did
with Paul.
Philippians 4:15-16 (NIV) - Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and
receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me
aid again and again when I was in need.
So look out for people who need your help. Even if you are poor, there will ALWAYS be something you can do, even if it is just simply turn up for a Christmas service and join in the worship. Sit near the front and encourage the worship leaders by letting them see that you, for one, are appreciating their efforts to lead people into praising God this Christmas. A smile, a phone call to a lonely relative or friend or a random act of kindness will go a long way in reminding your soul that God has made you to be a blessing, regardless of how much or how little you have in your bank account or wallet.
And of course, you can bless your pastor by helping him or her with the Christmas activities around church, or even an encouraging word. Don’t forget your church leaders!
I know this is not the usual email you get from me, about worship ministry matters or spiritual stuff. I guess sometimes we need to remember that we are always in a position to give, and to keep our hearts poised to do so.
2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV) - For if the willingness is
there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what
he does not have.
May our Lord find the gifts we give this
season acceptable and pleasing in his eyes. Be blessed!
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