Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

Article about Sowing Seeds of Faith and Internet Ministry

“And the Real Reason for this Holiday Season Is...?"

Part 2

The last message shared a plea for help from a family with no way to provide Christmas for their children. Christmas can be a grossly visible reminder of who receives generously and who gets little or nothing! How do you tell a child surrounded by children loaded down with more toys than they can ever use that Christmas is for others… but not for you? Christmas was never meant to be that way.

When Mary received the gift of God’s precious son she responded with praise: “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation to all who fear him.” (Luke 1:46-50)

Christmas presents were meant to be symbolic of God’s gift of the Christ child. What Jesus has given to us… we pass on to others as our way of saying: “I love you in the name of Christ!” The challenge is to broaden our horizons and creatively give to those in need. How did we get everything so mixed-up? How can we change? How can we recapture the Christ in Christmas?

Our readers responded with lively and creative ways to remember the real reason for the season:

U “I too, get bothered when people say they can’t have Christmas if they don’t have money for presents. We deliberately do not put up a tree or give presents because that forces us to stay focused on the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas. So many people say they wish they could take the stress and commercialism out of Christmas. They could if they wanted to -- just stop buying presents! Work in a soup kitchen or collect food for a food bank.” -- Michael

Look for Larry's Latest book coming March 25, 2007.

"Live the Light!

Five Weeks to a Life that Shines!"

Click Here

U “A friend gave my children a choice where they wanted a donation sent on their behalf for Christmas. She honored them with a gift. They thought of others and gave as well.” -- Linda

“His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.” (51-52)

U “It is hard to keep the real spirit of Christmas and we're not always successful but here are things we do to keep he real reason for the season: We watch very little commercial TV and try to attend all the activities our church has to celebrate Christmas. We put up a nativity set and read the "Christmas story" and refer to Christmas as "Jesus' birthday." We support mission activities and have the kids participate by taking them along such as grocery shopping to buy food for a local pantry. -- Kristin

U “I am a single parent with four teenagers so I'm always on the lookout for ways to de-commercialize Christmas. We have a "manger" and during the month of December whenever my children do or say something nice, they add a piece of straw. By Christmas Eve, Jesus has a soft place to lay his head. Also, we make a big deal about home made presents.” -- Karen

“He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.” (52-53)

U “We have a stocking with Jesus name on it and each family member writes a note to Jesus and we read it on Christmas day. I bake a birthday cake and we sing happy birthday.” -- Carol

U “Together we make an advent wreath, share a devotion each week and light the candle(s). It's fun and helps us reinforce the true meaning of the season.” -- Christy

“He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors – Abraham and his children – to be merciful to them forever.” (54-55)

U “Christmas is a special time for families and particularly kids. I would be more than willing to help the family in Ohio (mentioned last week) with funds to have a good Christmas. I am happy to contribute and you can pass it on. If it can be arranged, I would like to remain anonymous.” -- Anonymous in Kuwait (What a great suggestion! Thank you.)

We set up a fund on our web site shopping cart named “Christmas Child” so you may contribute toward providing Christmas for a family in need. Our family from last week’s message is receiving help but we have several families who would benefit from your contribution. Click here or you can mail a contribution to “Christmas Child Fund” care of Sowing Seeds Ministry, 47 Greenwell Ct., Lynchburg, VA 24502.

For more on the “Christmas Child Fund” and the conclusion to: “And the Real Reason for the Season Is…?” Click here: Have a Christ-filled Advent season of preparation for Jesus’ birthday.

Do you want to join us in prayer for others? Do you need prayer? Click Here.

Last modified December 3, 2002.

Would you like to receive your own weekly devotions? Be involved in our prayer chain?