Ringing in the Season of Giving
Returning from a country like to Sudan to the lights and cheer of the Christmas season is quite the study in contrasts. Sudan is not a cheery place! But in spite of that fact, true joy lights the faces of our brothers and sisters in Christ, as dark as their sufferings are.
When I was a kid, the joy of the Christmas season was all about the gifts and the goodies. Now that I'm a bit older, though, it has changed–Christmas is the time in which I remember and am grateful for the unbelievable blessings of family and friends. And as I work with the church across the world, I am realizing more and more the depth of that blessing. "Family" is not just physical relatives; it is the Body of Christ, united in His love. What a blessing to be a part of that Body.
As we ring in the season of giving, I can't help but think about the white-haired elder I wrote about on the trip, and how meaningful the gift of prayer is. I certainly cannot think of anything more valuable. Perhaps we never see the results, at least not in this life, but our prayers make all the difference.
As a reminder of this gift, we have compiled a beautiful 2008 prayer calendar, which will be going out the Remember mailing list shortly. If you are not on the mailing list, but would like a copy of the calendar, please e-mail me your address!