Giving Like a Child by Pamela Mytroen

 

When I was four years old, I couldn't wait until the lights were turned out and my mom and dad had said goodnight and prayed with me. As soon as my two-year old sibling had fallen asleep in the crib beside me, I would sit up in bed, shake my pillow until the pillowcase slipped off and then pretend to pack it with food for every starving child I'd seen on TV. I would then journey to the dark nation of Africa. I tried to figure out how to sneak leftovers from the supper table but I knew that wouldn't go over well with Mom, so I just stuffed pretend potatoes, meatloaf and chocolate cake into my case and swung it over my shoulder every night. I would hand it out freely, the bag never running out. I never thought to question them about whether or not they deserved this food, or how to sustain them day after day. I just loved the smiles on their faces. Once every child had taken enough for their family, I would shove my pillow back in the case and fall asleep in peace. 

My four-year-old sense of justice became jaded as I began to listen to the "big people" talk around me. They would talk about the homeless man on the street and all agree that he didn't deserve a hand out because he wasn't working. I worked that philosophy into my children's story books and decided that the hungry bunny didn't deserve to eat the farmer's lettuce after all, and he should be chased away. I also worked it into the bible where it says to feed the poor and decided that instead of feeding the poor people, I should teach them theology, because after all, they would go to hell with a full belly just as easily with an empty one. 

I began to see every homeless person as being lazy and untrustworthy, and focused on learning the truths of God's word instead so that I could impact lives from the inside out. However, that changed when I was challenged to read Jesus' words again. He commands us to care for the poor and he doesn't put any qualifiers on it. He doesn't say, "Give to the poor and demand that they buy groceries with it." He doesn't say, "Only give to those who are looking for work." He just says "Give to everyone who asks you for something" (Mt 5:42).  I began to realize that giving to the poor, or taking care of the vulnerable, not only gives them hope and nutrition, but it also teaches me a lesson. 

Working downtown in a  city, I soon found countless opportunities to put my faith into action. Or rather, they found me. Stepping out of the hotel, I would immediately be asked for money. I finally learned to carry change in my pocket. While I had no clue where they would be spending this money, I learned to leave it in God's hands. Instead, I would chat with them as we walked down the sidewalk together. I know it's not always wise to give irrationally, but maybe giving to the poor is more about what we need to learn than about what they need to eat. 

I learn to trust God when I give. I learn that He is kind and gracious to all of us. I learn that I don't deserve His blessings any more than a woman stopping me on the sidewalk and asking for money. Her hair is long and unkept and I don't know where she will go once she's out of my sight, but I can bless her and pray for her in Jesus' name. Although this is a very small action, it has opened my eyes in a big way to see that God respects and values every human being. I have learned to see past the downcast eyes or the demanding tone of some desperate people and instead to see the fingerprints of God on their lives. 

While I may not be able to affect change at government level, I can do small child-like things from day to day. I can take a container of soup to a senior who is struggling with depression during the isolation of Covid. I can call my neighbour widow and ask if she needs groceries picked up for her. I can listen to a friend share about the effects of childhood abuse and how they are still struggling with self-worth. I can sponsor children monthly through various organizations and I can write letters to my MP to protect children from trafficking. 

Maybe stuffing food into a pillowcase and sharing it with the hungry wasn't so far off after all. My heart still longs to help them, and maybe that's where God is found - in the hungry and homeless - who have so much to teach us about grace and no-strings-attached love of Jesus. While social justice issues have broadened from hunger and poverty to persecution, modern day slavery, and freedom of speech, it still comes down to individual people who need to be seen and acknowledged, and sometimes the best way to show that is by a handout, whether that hand holds a bag of food or material goods, or a handful of hope and dignity. 

While God warns governments that He will call them to account for how they've treated the poor and vulnerable, He also expects individuals to be aware of their needs and to help in whatever way they can. Giving comes naturally to children when they are raised with compassion, and God's words are simple enough for a child to understand. "Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land . . .buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. . . The LORD  has sworn by himself, . . . 'I will never forget anything they have done. Will not the land tremble for this, and all who live in it mourn?' " (Amos 8:4,6a,7, 8a). 

   

Just the Right Christmas Gifts by Nina Faye Morey

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.

These are the sacrifices that please God.

~ Hebrews 13:16, NLT

“Christmas is almost here,” Gloria sighed, “and I haven’t bought a single gift! Everyone has everything they could ever want or need. What could I possibly give them?”

“Really!?” Nancy said to her friend. “With all those store shelves overflowing with everything imaginable, you can’t find one single gift for anyone?”

“Well,” Gloria protested, “What could I give momma? I’ve wracked my brain and can’t come up with a single thing. She has all kinds of necklaces, and bracelets, and rings. So I can’t give her jewelry. She’s got a closet full of clothes and shoes, so there’s no use buying her those. And she’s got bookshelves bursting with books she still hasn’t read. So I can’t buy her any more books. Can you see my dilemma, now?”

There was silence for a moment, while Nancy considered this.

Undeterred, Gloria continued with her rant. “Then there’s my sister, Carrie, and brother, Larry, and all my cousins. They’ll come bearing a bunch of presents Christmas day, and I haven’t the foggiest notion what to get any of them. I’ve got to get them all something! I’d like to find just the right gifts for each one, if I could just figure out what that might be. I do love receiving presents, but I sure hate giving them!” she finished in a huff.

“Well!” said Gloria’s grandmother, who’d been listening in on the girls’ conversation. “When I was your age, I was happy to get any Christmas presents. My family was going through a difficult time, and there wasn’t much money to spend on gifts. I remember getting a Christmas stocking with a single orange and a few pieces of candy, and I was perfectly happy.”

“It would be a whole lot simpler if that were my problem,” Gloria sighed, “I’ve a list full of people with more than they know what to do with, but I still have to find them a gift they’ll absolutely love.”

“Didn’t they appreciate the presents you bought them last year?” Grandma asked.

“No, I don’t really think so. At least I could tell Auntie Susy didn’t care that much for the ring I gave her. And I tried so hard to find something really nice to give her because she always buys me such a lovely present each year.”

“Well, if you want someone who’ll appreciate your efforts, I know of several needy families who’d be easy to please and delighted to receive whatever gifts you gave them.”

Nancy piped in enthusiastically “Now, that’s a wonderful idea! Don’t you think so, Gloria?”

Gloria pondered this for a minute. “Yeah, that sounds like a lot more fun and a very worthy cause, too,” she agreed. “Who are these needy people, grandma?”

“Yes, please tell us!” Nancy chimed in. “I’d love to buy them some gifts, too.”

“Well, there are families from our church who wouldn’t turn up their noses at any gifts you gave them,” Grandma said. “For instance, you know Carla, right?”

“Of course, grandma, she’s one of our friends from Sunday school.”

“Well, her father recently lost his job and her mother’s too sick to work. They barely have enough money to put food on the table, let alone buy a turkey and all the trimmings for Christmas dinner. They certainly won’t be able to afford a nice present for Carla this year.”

“Oh, no, that’s terrible!” Gloria said.

“Perhaps you girls could put together a nice Christmas hamper for them and buy a little gift for Carla?” Grandma said.

“Yes, that’s a wonderful idea, grandma,” Gloria said. “We could buy them a turkey and potatoes and canned vegetables and crackers …” Gloria counted these items off on her fingers.

“But you mentioned there were several families who could use gifts,” Nancy broke in. “Who else could we buy presents for?”

“Well, there’s a single mother with a little girl who was telling me she doesn’t know where she’ll find money to buy a tree, decorations, or presents this year. Perhaps you could purchase a small tree, a few ornaments, and some little gifts for them.”

“Oh, I’d love that, grandma!” Gloria cried. “I’ve never bought a Christmas tree before. Could we go buy one right now before they’re all picked over, please?”

“Well, hold on just a minute,” said Grandma. “If you girls go ahead and do this, will you still have enough money left over to buy some nice presents for your family?”

“Yes, I think so, Grandma,” Gloria said. “And I really, really do want to buy some nice presents for these needy people.”

“And I have quite a lot of money saved up to help out, too,” offered Nancy.

“Well, I’ve a few dollars tucked away that I could contribute to such a charitable cause,” said Grandma, “so let’s go shopping this afternoon.”

The two girls jumped up and down and clapped their hands with glee.

Grandma’s heart was gladdened by the girls’ generosity. “I’m so proud of you girls! Instead of wasting your money on extravagant and frivolous gifts, you’ll be purchasing something that’s really needed. These people will be so grateful for such gracious gifts given out of the goodness of your hearts. And I know Jesus will be very pleased, too, that you remembered the poor and needy on His birthday.”

The Giving Season by Karma Pratt

Ah, Christmas. So much joy and so much fun. Or... so much stress and so much darkness. Depending on your experiences, Christmas can mean merriment and wonder, or possibly sadness and dismay. I have been blessed to experience more of the merriment than the sadness in my life. When I look beyond my own comfy corner, though, I see a world where many are struggling and it makes me aware of the importance of not taking our good life for granted. In the blustery busyness of this season, we can get caught up in the whirlwind and forget what matters most. 

I want to step away from the platitudes, the millions of "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmases" spoken by rote, rather than by heart. I want to move toward more meaningful exchanges: kindness shared over cups of coffee and breaking of bread, or even just a genuine exchange between strangers at the grocery store.

I want to separate myself from the myriad of commercialized notions of what Christmas is and how we celebrate together: Trim the tree, stuff the bird, stuff the family, sit back, relax, eat too much, show "love" through mountains of sweet treats piled high on platters, and witness the tightening of waistbands in the aftermath.

Instead I pray for thanks offerings and gratitude, for open hearts and minds, for the opportunity to offer our best - not in trade - but without thought of reciprocation, recognizing the grace poured out over us by the One who gave it all and sharing that grace freely.

I want to step back from the need to "count the cost" of each gift under the tree. "Did we spend the same on each child? Have we treated everyone fairly?" my inner worrier wonders. Perhaps the blessing is to be found in our presence rather than the piles of presents?

With that in mind, I want to give my children gifts that last. My presence at the table is better than any toy I can wrap. My patience, love and kindness, ever growing and brightening through Jesus' transformation of this old heart, are more valuable than glitter and gold. His new mercy everyday leads to my renewal. What a blessing, and what a gift to be able to pass along to those I love the most. 

I want to step away from my desire to buy into the sparkling lights and shiny wrapping, and remember all those who won't be celebrating Christmas with friends and family this year.  

The reality is, sometimes all we can give is our hearts in gratitude and our hands in prayer. These become the offering when nothing else will do. As part of Advent this year, I wrote a prayer for Syrian refugees. I just kept thinking, "what do you give when you have nothing left?" This is the answer I came up with: Advent - Beyond Measure

I have many jumbled thoughts on what to give and how to live this Christmas season. At the end of the day, I offer you this blessing (courtesy of Jesus): 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Wishing you joy and peace throughout the giving season.

In Jesus' name,

Karma

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Karma Pratt is a faith-driven mom of twins, a communicator, a writer, and an encourager from way back. She loves words, art, creativity, God, and people, although not necessarily in that order. 

You can find Karma online at redraincoatcreations.com or connect on Twitter, Facebook, & LinkedIn

Silent Night, Holy Night - Karen Toews

Every December members from our church go carolling to seniors: "shut-ins" who either live in their own homes or in assisted living facilities. The carollers meet at the church where they divide into groups, are given a list of 4 or 5 stops, then fan out into the community.

Most years I join in and I had this year's date marked in my daytimer well in advance.

But on that particular Wednesday, the afternoon's agenda went off the rails. My Christmas baking project took much longer than anticipated, I couldn't get into the flow for a work proposal, and a couple necessary phone calls all disrupted my rhythm and production.

Maybe you should forget about carolling tonight and get caught up on your work.

I tossed the thought to and fro; decided I needed those hours at home and emailed one of the organizers to express my regrets.

You can't give a small gift of your time to share the music of this season...to share Me?

The pointed question pricked me through. What was I thinking, beyond my own selfishness? I needed to go.

Our group was a Mom and her 9-year-old son, our driver and her friend, and myself. Our hosts were delighted and generous with their thanks and their sweet treats. Two of the ladies, pretty much house-bound with health issues, sang along with their carol request: Silent Night. I think (older) women, especially, have an intrinsic affinity for this simple sacred melody of the first Christmas night. It was my Mom's favourite too. Now, six years since her last Christmas, I couldn't stop the tears from welling up, so aware of the gulf between us and our perspectives of "Son of God, love's pure light."

Almost all of the people we sang for were senior women. They were sitting waiting for us to come and they were sitting when they left. Those in senior homes didn't have baking or decorating or cleaning yet to do that night - with a full agenda planned for the next day too. It's safe to guess that at one point in their life that was so - and that they'd now say, "where did the years go?"

All the carollers met up back at the church for cocoa and cookies and this particular caroller went home to a kitchen spilling over with dirty dishes. No elves or fairies had showed up to sweep through the house with their magic. But a miracle of sorts had materialized.

My sense of peace in spite of a list with too few tasks ticked off. Surprise for how much I'd received in exchange for my small effort. The contentment knowing the priority projects would get done.

Christmas has come, we have celebrated "Christ the Saviour is born." And because of this "....dawn of redeeming grace", I can experience "all is calm, all is bright."