THE HEAVILIN HERALD
Christmas
2008
God With Skin On
It's December, once again. For most people, December
means presents, parties, preparations, and programs.
It also means traditions, meeting expectations,
family gatherings, and with all of that there may
even be some fun and excitement in the mix. However,
for some Christmas means trying to act happy,
meeting expectations, going through the motions,
when in reality their hearts are breaking. The magic
of Christmas seems more like the misery of
Christmas. This has been a rough year. A marriage
has ended, a relationship has been broken, a job has
been lost, the positive financial picture has
shattered, a loved one has died. Do you know someone
who fits that situation? If so, now is your chance
to show the love of Christ to that person or family.
If a mom is trying to hold the family together after
a divorce or death of a spouse, you can reach out to
her by offering to sit with the kids while she
shops, do some shopping for her, help her put up the
Christmas tree, or even buy a tree for her.
Do you know someone whose finances are exhausted?
Wouldn't they be surprised if they found a bag of
groceries on their porch? I remember the night my
daughter and I parked a few houses away from an
unemployed friend. We silently crept to the porch
and placed a canned ham there and then we ran after
we rang the doorbell.
Do you know someone who is facing the holidays for
the first time without a loved one? Take them a
memento to remind them of their loved one. Buy a
special ornament for their tree. Do their shopping
for them so they don't have to face all of the
holiday shoppers and music.
Most of all with anyone who may be dreading the
holidays make sure they are not alone. Let them know
you remember their difficulties.
You can be "God with skin on." Now's your chance.
Don't let it slip by. Reach out to God's hurting
children.
"Comfort ye; comfort ye My people, saith your God,"
(Isaiah 40:1).
MWH