A CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT MATTERS

All too often it gets pretty easy to get caught up in Black Friday deals, Christmas shopping and keeping up with the Jones'.  I am going to encourage you to take a moment to remember the reason for the season, Jesus.  You never know what might impact someone for the rest of their life or even eternally.  Take those chances as they come or even seek them out.  It could be something as simple as holding a door for someone with a smile and just telling them "Merry Christmas".  Pretty easy, right?  It could be you looking with your ministry focused eyes and notice a person or family that might need some sacrificial quality time spent or a couple bags of groceries.  Some of those opportunities are gifts that can really matter, some cost zero dollars.  

This last Saturday we invited everyone in the area out to camp for Community Christmas.  It was nice weather which helped bring over 1000 guests out for the afternoon.  The most we have had here for that event, and maybe the largest amount of people on camp at one time.  But that's not the point... it was a time to give the gift of camp to families, even if just for a short time, and celebrate Christmas.  Yes we have Santa come out and you can take your picture with him.  You can also get dressed up in a nativity scene and take a photo...  Of course tons of other activities, crafts and snacks.  The most fun part about this year was how a couple people stepped up to do what was mentioned above.  There happened to be a couple instances of families that didn't have a whole lot of extra cash to buy gas to be able to come.  Well others took the opportunity to give a small gift of gas money to help them be able to come.  We don't know much about the rest of the story or impact it may have had, but well done.  I can tell you that I have personally been on the receiving side of a kind and timely gift like that and it made pretty huge impact on me and my family for years to follow.  How God provides, and sometimes from places we don't expect.  

Something we have adopted in our family, don't remember where we stole the idea, is a little formula for giving gifts to our kids, take it or leave it.  And let me preface this with- I don't think gifts are bad at all, it is or should be about the joy of giving and the gifts are celebrating the birth of Christ. But what we do is give our kids 3 gifts each.  One thing they want, one thing they "need", and one thing that will help them grow spiritually.  It's been fun, we have liked it, so have our kids.  

Through any opportunities you might encounter, share the gift that really matters, the Gospel.  Share the love of Christ through word or deed.  Have a great Christmas season, MERRY CHRISTMAS!