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 3

I shared a plea from a family asking for help. Christmas can be a visible reminder of who receives generously and who gets little or nothing! Christmas was never meant to be that way. Last week we shared a few ideas on how to keep Christ in Christmas. We began a “Christmas Child” fund which enabled Sowing Seeds Ministry subscribers to provide Christmas for four families in need.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” (Luke 2:8-12)

U “There were times when I got caught up with the madness of Christmas, the lights, presents, getting into debt, trying to buy everybody a gift. But I have gotten older and the true meaning of Christmas has changed. I don't worry about not having a gift to buy. With so much uncertainly today, we should concentrate more on giving, and less on receiving.” -- Cynthia

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U “I grew up in a rather large and famous church around here. So, I called and asked if there was a family that could use some help and fellowship. They had no idea what I was talking about but connected me with the pastor in charge of "that type of thing" and his office didn't know of one single family, student, or elderly person that fit the bill either. Something is wrong with that picture. I know there are companies working their employees one week on and then a week off. That makes for tight times. I know others have lost their job completely and still others have health problems, or are widows... I still can't believe that a church the size of mine could not help. Have we forgotten how hard the holidays can be on folks?” -- Rebecca

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (13-14)

U “We do food baskets at our church and get toys for children and give them to the needy in our area. I am frequently reminding folks that ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season.’” Margaret

U “We sponsor a family each year and buy gifts for the children. We want to help.” Buz

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that happened, which the Lord told us about.” They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. (15-16)

U One church met with community leaders several years ago and organized “Christmas Parents” which honors “above and beyond” parents and receives donations and presents throughout the county providing Christmas for over 500 children every year.

U Another church solicits names of needy children from area elementary schools then matches, those names with families from their congregation who include those children as part of their Christmas shopping. This church provides Christmas to sixty to seventy children every year.

Then the shepherds told everyone what happened and what the angel said about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels told them and because they had seen the child, just as the angel said. (17-20)

U A family from Virginia read our devotion several weeks ago about a family in Ohio asking for help and is now in the process of providing Christmas for both the children and parents.

U A man from Kuwait sent a donation to “Sowing Seeds Ministry” which we used to help two families in different parts of the United States. You also can contribute to the “Christmas Child” fund which will be used to provide help for families in need during the holiday season.

The third verse from the hymn, “Away in a Manger” says it best: “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray; bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.” What better way to put Christ in your Christmas this year then by helping a child in need? God will bless you for it. Have a Merry Christmas.

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.

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Last modified December 10, 2002.

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