‘Tis the season for honoring Jesus’ simple guidelines by showing kindness and love

It’s Christmastime—that wonderful time of the year when our thoughts turn to kindness. Traditions abound. The streets are lit up and children’s faces shine. The tree is in the parlor and the stockings are hung by the chimney. It’s a festive time—one of great cheer. It’s the season of giving.

We have to be careful, though, in the midst of all the trappings and wrappings, not to lose sight of the greatest gift ever given, the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate. From His humble beginnings Jesus rose to be not only the greatest teacher of all time, but the Savior of us all. By his death and resurrection Jesus freed us from sin and opened the door to eternal life. Jesus was the Father’s gift to His children.

We must remember, too, that there are many families whose Christmas will not be joyful, families who live in shacks, parents who wonder each day how they will keep their children fed, those whose lives have been disrupted by tragedy. In this there is a great opportunity for those of us who have been blessed with a joyful Christmas season, an opportunity to show our gratitude to the Father for the gift of his Son.

Jesus left us some guidelines on how to do this, simple ones really. He said for us to love God and to love one another. He tells us that on those two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. In this season of giving there’s no better way of showing our love for one another than reaching out to those in need. I’m partial to helping a family have a decent place to live—that seems to be what I’ve been called to do. I take great joy in knowing that thousands of children around the world will go to sleep on Christmas Eve in a warm, safe home that our donors and volunteers have made possible.

I’m wistful, though, over the many thousands more who won’t have that blessing. Our efforts seem meager against the tremendous need. But if more and more of us come together with our gifts of time and treasure more and more of these children will be blessed.

I’m especially grateful this time of year to our many donors and volunteers whose dedication and support make this great ministry work. All of us here at The Fuller Center for Housing wish you and yours a joyous Christmas season and a blessings-filled New Year.

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