Be Jesus This Christmas
The Christmas season is one of the most joyous times many of us experience each year. It can also be the saddest for those who have lost much and/or have no one to celebrate with. Although we all know the celebration is supposed to be focused on the birth of the greatest gift humans have ever been given, often sadness, loneliness, and those who are lost to God suffer desperately during this time each year.
The Motto of my church, The Ministry of Mercy for Christ (MOM), is Matthew 25:31-40.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right (believers) and the goats (non-believers) on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”
“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes, and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison, and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Servitude)
We all know that Jesus interacted with and ate with the people who were considered sinners and those considered “unworthy” during the time He walked the earth. He taught and exemplified love, forgiveness, and kindness, showing us how to give and love unconditionally. These lessons are often forgotten or stubbornly ignored during this time in history, when we let even politics divide us into two types of people. People we love and people we hate. Jesus warned us of this time and these unacceptable feelings towards each other.
Whereas Jesus considered believers to be “sheep” and non-believers to be “goats,” we have decided in our human wisdom (or lack thereof) that we determine who we should love, care for, and nurture when Jesus told us to love everyone, but stay ESPECIALLY close to other believers. He told us this because believers NEED fellowship with each other for edification (strength in conviction of our beliefs) and to be reprimanded when our behavior isn’t righteous in God’s eyes. Fellowship is the glue that binds us to God’s commands and precepts and is therefore mandatory and desperately needed despite our varying views and feelings.
We all fully understand we cannot help everyone in need; however, as fellow believers) We can approach this Christmas season being Jesus’s hands and feet on earth. While most of us want to make Christmas the best ever for ourselves, our family, and friends, I am suggesting you take that enthusiasm and make it the best Christmas ever for someone who is lonely, needy, and/or feeling depressed.
Most of the people we give to with all our love and generosity already have enough. It is reflecting the God in YOU when you seek out and provide for people who are lacking or have nothing. I am sure that you will find an abundance of joy by caring for those who are hungry, needy, in prison, or orphans. Invite your family and friends to join you in helping people and/or families who truly NEED your help this year.
Certainly, most of us reading this have enough. Another gift to dust off or a feast to eat will not change the lives or paths of most of the people we know, but reaching out to someone who is truly needy can change their lives forever! You will also find that the greatest gift you receive is the joy you give to others. Especially others in need.
I hope and pray that this sermon motivates you to change your normal way of celebrating Christmas. I am sure those who are normally spoiled by you will understand if your time and money are spent on someone who truly has nothing. By giving them the love, caring, and generosity that God has commanded, you will show them that God is real and really loves and cares about them, too. AMEN. Loving blessings, Lisa ><>
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