Christmas is a time of giving, of coming together as a community, and of sharing love and hope.
Recently I went to the Wyee Community Hub (on the grounds of the Wyee Seventh-day Adventist Church) and assembled Christmas hampers to bring a little joy to those who are doing it tough. It was great to see people of all ages and walks of life coming together with a shared purpose. They were happy to be making a difference. When the doors opened there was joy on the faces of the givers and receivers of the hampers. There was joy as people purchased other goods at low prices.
This ministry is one of many examples I see around the South Pacific where Adventists and their friends are serving real needs of the people around them. When I see this I am proud to be an Adventist.
Christmas is not about the presents under the tree, it’s about the love in our hearts. Jesus gave up heaven to show God’s love and became a human baby. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God with us)” Matthew 1:23 (NLT) quoting Isaiah 7:14. God in human form, full of grace and truth, showing us what God is like (John 1:14-18) is the ultimate Christmas gift. And reaching out to our neighbours, our friends, and even strangers, to make their Christmas a little brighter reflects a fraction of Jesus’ great gift.
We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and at this time of year we have the perfect opportunity to mirror His love and compassion.
So, as we approach this Christmas season, I encourage you to think about what you can do to help others.
It might be a small act of kindness, a warm smile or a heartfelt conversation with someone who needs it. It could be packing a hamper or two, or inviting someone over for lunch.
Let’s make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of those around us.
