Tuesday, December 9, 2014

CHRISTMAS ON PURPOSE

I love the approach to Christmas On Purpose: looking for ways to bring the Christmas message of hope, peace, joy and love to others. How wonderfully practical: reusable water bottles for the women at Florence Crittenton (going green, very symbolic and useful!); pajamas for Lowcountry Orphan Relief…swaddling clothes if you will; this week jelly for James Island Outreach…how sweet it is; and then diapers for our friends at Lowcountry Pregnancy Center…how wonderfully appropriate.

Make it a family event. One family took the grandkids out to buy the gifts, explaining what they were doing and why. Now that is discipleship at its best (as you go…make disciples…Matthew 28) Don’t forget about ways you can bless other ministries like the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions; Remember the Persecuted Church building an orphanage in Burma; the Salvation Army and their faithful bell ringers; a donation of blood to The American Red Cross (or a cash donation). There are so many wonderful ways to make a difference.

Each week of Advent, it is our desire to draw our attention back to the redeeming work of God. He sent His One and Only, uniquely born Son to be born of a virgin, in a little town called Bethlehem. Humble beginnings with a world-wide eternal impact. A little baby, born in a little town, to an unknown little lady. Do not underestimate the impact of what little deeds, little gifts can do. Jesus put a premium on a visit…in His name; a cup of water in His name; clothing given in His name. We do Church on Purpose. Let’s do Christmas on Purpose.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing, as we celebrate “Joy…On Purpose”!

Pastor Tom