Celebrating Jesus Through Service Beyond the Holidays
My wife and I live in the South-central U.S., where our summers are hot and dry, and most winters are mild. Much of our rain fall comes in the Spring and Autumn months, and this past summer was so dry that we had little to no precipitation well into the fall. But then, in early November, the heavenly floodgates opened, and we got 5 inches of rain in two days! Man made farm ponds went from being just big puddles to overflowing overnight. It was a lot to deal with, but folks in these parts were so thankful for the much-needed rain.
November and December are also showery in a different way. It’s during this time of year when thankful acts of giving and gratitude are most plentiful. Businesses create food baskets, emergency responders hold toy drives, and it feels like everyone is looking for ways to help people in need. Nursing homes and assisted living centers such as the one where my wife and I serve are often flooded with groups singing Christmas carols and spreading yuletide joy.
But here’s the thing: food banks give away groceries year-round, and most nursing homes perpetually seek volunteers. Spreading God’s love during a joyous time of year is a worthy goal; so, let’s expand the idea! We can celebrate Jesus as the reason for the season year-round, and the best way to do this is by being God’s hands and feet wherever they are needed right now.
You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it.
Isaiah 45:8 (NIV)
Do you know something that God wants done? Good! Now, persuade as many people as you can to join you in doing it.
Regular David (me)
Thank you for reading. prayers and love.
This piece was first published in the Sunshine Weekly Newsletter, a publication which is shared in nursing homes and assisted living centers. A special thank you to Peter Caligiuri, aka “Pastor Pete,” for inviting me to contribute a monthly column! Peter blogs at praise2worship.net
David Duncan is an ordained Southern Baptist minister turned elementary school administrator. He and his wife have three grown sons, but no grandchildren. They live in the Midwestern United States, with their Schnauzer, Cooper. David blogs at davidsdailydose.org, where he shares positive thoughts from a Christian perspective.
Image by DEEPAI
Yes, we can do this by recognizing that the “new birth” in Christ (growing understanding of spiritual truth) happens continuously, making every day an opportunity for spiritual growth and service. Jesus’s birth marked the start of the Christian era, but the Christ (the spiritual idea of God, Truth, Life, and Love) is timeless, present always, and available to all who understand it. So, service beyond holidays involves living Christ’s example of spiritual perfection and Love in all actions, recognizing the “Christ is without beginning of years or end of days,” making every moment an opportunity to reflect God’s presence and power.
Your friend – His servant,
Isaac Otieno