Yes, I know the picture doesn't depict a typical Christmas scene that is wintry, glitzy and have colorful lights. I know it isn't nostalgic and dreamy.....but it does say alot about gift.
"Compassion is the capacity to put Christ like love into action."
I just spent some time experiencing people receiving gifts. The gifts weren't much---mostly practical, everyday things that we usually take for granted. But the people were awesome.....
They were individuals who, like you, were looking for the best they could find for their families for Christmas. Things that would help make the "holidays" happy.
The difference is they were looking for things like: a single present for their children, or food for a Christmas dinner, or a warm winter coat rather than just a hoodie. Things they could not afford to get this year.
But what really struck me as unique was their excitement, the tears of stress relief, and especially the compassion for others who they felt had a greater need. On several occasions I was asked if we could do something to help another neighbor, or other family in need---people they only knew slightly, but were aware of their struggles and wanted to help. Compassion...
But what about the rest of us?
It seems to me that gift and gratitude coexist as one of God's blessings. The problem is that many of us forget the gratitude part. And if that is the case, even 50 gifts will never be enough to satisfy, and our lack of genuine awareness of each other may never lead to compassion---one of God's gifts that the world needs most. Please, let us all be grateful for the gifts we are given everyday. Thanks....
"Compassion is the capacity to put Christ like love into action."
I just spent some time experiencing people receiving gifts. The gifts weren't much---mostly practical, everyday things that we usually take for granted. But the people were awesome.....
They were individuals who, like you, were looking for the best they could find for their families for Christmas. Things that would help make the "holidays" happy.
The difference is they were looking for things like: a single present for their children, or food for a Christmas dinner, or a warm winter coat rather than just a hoodie. Things they could not afford to get this year.
But what really struck me as unique was their excitement, the tears of stress relief, and especially the compassion for others who they felt had a greater need. On several occasions I was asked if we could do something to help another neighbor, or other family in need---people they only knew slightly, but were aware of their struggles and wanted to help. Compassion...
But what about the rest of us?
It seems to me that gift and gratitude coexist as one of God's blessings. The problem is that many of us forget the gratitude part. And if that is the case, even 50 gifts will never be enough to satisfy, and our lack of genuine awareness of each other may never lead to compassion---one of God's gifts that the world needs most. Please, let us all be grateful for the gifts we are given everyday. Thanks....
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