One lady waited until the last minute to send Christmas cards. She knew she had forty-nine folks on her list. So she rushed into a store and bought a package of fifty cards without really looking at them. Still in a big hurry, she addressed the forty-nine and signed them without reading the message inside.
On Christmas Day when things had quieted down somewhat, she happened to come across the one leftover card and finally read the message she had sent to forty-nine of her friends. Much to her dismay, it said: “This card is just to say – a little gift is on the way.”
In the hustle and bustle of life, and especially during the holidays, sometimes we can, in an effort to do for others, fail to remember why we do what we do. Jesus is the reason (Col. 3:23-24). He ought to always be the reason (2 Cor. 5:8). In living a Christ-centered life, we look to Him in what we say, what we think, what we do, and how we do it (Col. 3:17). He changes us from the inside out to be living sacrifices (Heb. 12:1-2).
This past Sunday, about 40 members of the church here got out and went to carol to some of our shut-ins and others with chronic health problems. It was tiring. It was a long afternoon. There were some really long drives. Yet, as each group stopped at homes, apartments, nursing homes, and assisted living residences, the beauty of Jesus was seen in the enthusiasm, the fellowship, and the tears in the eyes of each member/recipient who appreciated the visits…to think that someone who wears the name of Christ, of brother or sister, of beloved chose to come and see them and sing to them. Thank you to those of you who went. I hope you could see the blessing. I hope you could hear Jesus’ words echoed, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” The “little gift” was delivered with a “huge impact” in Christlike love.
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