Jesus is the Reason For The Season

 

This past weekend we went to my parent’s church in Cleveland Ga.   It was such a pleasure.  I love going there and listening to their pastor.  I always get to see Bill and Linda who went to church with my family when I was in elementary school.  They are getting ready for Christmas as most of are.  During the sermon he made a statement that has stuck with me since we were there last Sunday. 

This was his comment..”We always say “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” but have we ever considered that “We are the Reason for the Season”. " Oh my goodness.  I have NEVER in all my days heard such.  I have never considered such a statement.  So let’s look at this from both sides.

First- Jesus is the Reason For The Season.  ABSOLUTELY!!!!  He is a reason for the celebration. He came as fully God and fully man. He came as a baby to this world.  Christmas is about Christ and we strive to teach that to our children.  Yes, the gifts and toys are wonderful and they enjoy it.  The key is to remember the ultimate gift that we have been given. 

Second- We are The Reason For The Season- This was something new for me.  This statement was exciting to me.  Think about this.  God chose to give us the ultimate gift.  He loved us so much that He gave us His Son.  He was thinking of us during this season.  We are the reason that He gave.  WOW!!!  Let that sink in this season.  What a thought!  This has made such an impact on me. 

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, consider these things.  Jesus is the Reason for the Season and We are the Reason for the Season.

 

RACK

RACK

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

 

Our church is doing this here in Amory.  We are to start it on December 1st.  It's for the 25 days before Christmas.  This is so easy.  I can't wait to do it.  I'm hoping to get Kaleb in on it.  He loves doing these kinds of things so this will be a perfect time of teaching.  So, we received in our bulletin a list of things to do.  I thought I would share them here and then maybe it would encourage you to do something like this.  Pastor Allen said that if 200 people would do this for 25 people, would be 5000 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.  We don't live in a big town, so can you imagine what that would start?  I'm so excited!!!!!  We even have these neat little cards that we can use if we want to. 

It says...

You've been RACK'ed this Christmas season by someone from First Baptist Church, Amory.  We are counting down the 35 days of Christmas by performing RANDOM ACTS OF CHRISTMAS KINDNESS each day.  You are a child of God and we pray you find His blessings this Christmas season.

 

Here are some of the ideas that we were given.

Buy a pack of gum or mints for the checkout clerk at a store.

Clean up an elderly persons yard.

Bring donuts to the police station and fire station

Pay for the person's meal behind you in the drive-thru line.

Leave a treat on a neighbor's doorstep anonymously. (Don't just ring the doorbell and run)

Give a treat or cup of coffee to your garbage collectors.

Leave a note and a gift in your mailbox for your mail carrier.

Tape quarters to a vending machine.

Write 3 Thank You notes to people who have blessed your life in a small, yet meaningful ways.

Gather and put away the shopping cars in a parking lot at any store.

Volunteer an hour of your time at the FBC Preschool.

Volunteer to keep a busy mom's kids so she can shop.

Buy a bag of groceries for a family in need.

Take snacks to the Gilmore ICU waiting room.

Offer to help someone carry shopping bags to their car.

Invite someone who may be alone to your home sometime during the holiday season.

Prepare a meal for a family who may have someone in the hospital

Give up your parking spot for the convenience of someone else.

 

Take the list and run with it!!!!!!  This is my Christmas Challenge for you.  What will you do?  Do you have more ideas?  Please share them.  I have a few more ideas.  I'll post them for you on another day.