 Christmas Giving
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend Christmas in the hospital as a child? Most of us haven’t, but I’ve seen what it’s like. I’ll never forget the first time my mother wanted to do something for a child in the hospital. It was Christmas Eve and she said we were going to the store. My sisters and I complained because we just wanted to go to the church Christmas pageant, but we went with Mom to the store anyway. When we got to the store, Mom bought a mini Christmas tree, lights, and ornaments. We also went to the toy section where she had us pick out some toys and movies. Once back home, we decorated the tree, wrapped the toys, and made a card to be delivered to a child at the hospital. After the pageant, my family went to the hospital and the nurse brought us into the pediatric oncology wing and let us into one of the children’s rooms. When we walked in, the child’s face lit up and so did her parents. Instead of a blank room, the child had a Christmas tree to jazz it up. Instead of a self-serving heart, I had a giving heart. After leaving, my family felt like we did something for Jesus and that sweet child. Now, instead of complaining, my sisters and I look forward to our annual Christmas Eve hospital visit. So the next time you sit down in the comfort of your own home with your family and friends opening presents on Christmas, think about the children who have to be in a hospital during the holidays and how they must feel. Daily Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 40 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ 6 A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings;[a] lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,[b] lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ 10 See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. Comments are closed.
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