"Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right." - 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Dear Friends in Christ -
A while back, I told you that I was pondering what to do about Christmas presents. Well, I decided this year to focus on giving gifts of invitation and experience. Rather than giving stuff, I'm sharing experiences that I've enjoyed (ie - CDs of two new musical groups that have had a powerful impact on me this year) and I'm sharing invitations (ie - inviting people to join me for lunch so I can cook a favorite dish for them).
The following story by Jason Cho reminded me that there's another gift I might give to friends and neighbors this Christmas: an invitation to church. "That's not a REAL gift," you might protest. And I thought that too. For a moment. But then I realized this: Jesus SAVED me. I am who I am, I have what I have all because of Him.
Jesus isn't a limited edition. There's more than enough to go around. So I'm going to make more of an effort to invite people to come to church to meet Him so they can have the Light, too.
Advent blessings,
Janet+
ADVENT REPAIR AND PREPARE
Miss Rose refused to let any volunteers near her house. She was worried that it was beyond repair and would be demolished, and she would not have that. Our supervisor told us we would likely have to move on to another work site, but to give it a try anyway.
The largest member of our group was assigned to make the pitch to Miss Rose. He is physically one of the largest people I have ever known, a true mountain of a man. He banged on the door of the trailer parked in Miss Rose's back yard. When she opened it and saw him, she was speechless.. His size has that effect on people. He immediately announced in a very forceful voice: "Miss Rose, we are going to fix your house!" She said, "OK," and slammed the door to her trailer. During the next few days we began the repairs and renovation of Miss Rose's house. On the third morning, she played music for us out the window of her trailer. On our last day she brought us cookies I told her we would be leaving at the end of the Second Week of Advent day, but that another group of volunteers would be coming, and another group after that. I asked her to be nice to them. She promised she would.. When we left she gave the big guy a hug.
Not everyone prepares for and welcomes the gift of the Lord Jesus at Christmas. To many, Advent and Christmas are annoying, and they would just as soon be left alone. We probably all know someone who is openly skeptical, who would rather that the whole "holiday season" end, and end quickly. Perhaps you know someone in this mindset. Consider inviting that person to church during Advent. And don't give up if the answer is no the first time. You never know what might happen.
--Jason Leo
from We Shall All Be Changed: Daily Advent Meditations
reprinted from CREDO: A Window on Wellness
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