In the weeks before Christmas, we enjoyed the annual round of Zoom parties and fun and greetings from faraway friends and relatives. And then on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we did lots of Zoom church.
I imagine Christmas at your house was probably pretty much the same, with variations according to culture, customs, and climate. We had roast beef; you might have had tamales. But do you notice another similarity between all our Christmases? We give. We give what we can to help make others’ Christmases brighter.
We are created in the image of God, who freely creates, lovingly redeems, and graciously sanctifies. Giving according to that divine model–within our human limits–is our true joy.
I remember when school would start back up in January, my little friends and I would get together and eagerly ask each other, “Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?” And now I ask, “Did you give everything you wanted for Christmas?”
This message is an excerpt from a Women of the ELCA monthly devotion by Audrey Novak Riley.
Do you enjoy these free Daily Grace messages? If so, donate now to further the ministry. Use the “where needed most” line. Subscribe to Gather magazine for full articles excerpted in Daily Grace.
reply
retweet
favorite