The holiday season seems to be the busiest time of the year. I don’t think we intend for it to be that way, but it happens. We want so desperately for this time to be focused on quality time with our loved ones, but then in the blink of an eye, it’s over. Often we don’t know where the time went or if it was meaningful. I get caught up in the hustle and bustle just as much as the next person, but my heart has been wanting and needing a different pace, a different way.
I realized that only I can make that decision. I get to choose whether or not this season is hurried and frantic or if it’s slow and full of wonder. Where do we start this process of going against the societal norms and leaning into a kingdom mindset?
This Christmas season is solely based on one thing alone — Jesus. We celebrate His birth and what that meant for the entire world. Why did He come? Why did He come in the most vulnerable state of a baby? Why does it matter?
It matters because His birth set in motion God’s plan for salvation and redemption for mankind. That salvation covers every area of our lives — spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, and mental. Jesus freely came and lived and died for our freedom.
In order to reflect on this truth, we need to slow down. We need to quiet our minds and souls and hearts in order to hear His still small voice. Once we are in the secret place pondering all that His birth and life means for us and the world, it will affect how we walk out this Christmas season and our everyday lives.
I look around our country and see how blessed we truly are even when I don’t feel that I am. I get preoccupied with my needs and trials and pain. I don’t even take the opportunity to look around at those who have gone through loss or suffering that I can’t even imagine. Sometimes I think that we have become apathetic to the hurts of others. Maybe we can’t imagine how we can begin to help someone with overwhelming need.
And the King will answer them, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
This verse is simple and yet so profound. Jesus never says that we have to take one specific action in order to help someone. He says “whatever you did.” Whatever literally means whatever. In this whole section, Jesus was differentiating between the sheep and the goats, those in Christ and those who are not. Those in Christ fed and clothed and visited the prisoner and cared for the sick. They did so because they had hearts to please God. Jesus told them that whatever was done for them was done for Him.
Since everyone is created in the image of the Father, everyone we meet and serve carries that image. The needs around us are great, but if we all do “whatever,” so many people would be blessed and encouraged and cared for. God would be glorified, and His Kingdom would advance.
The least of these are all around us, near and far. Let us notice their need, their hurt, their reflection of Christ’s image. Let us slow down enough in order to hear how the Lord wants to partner with us to serve them and show His love and mercy.
Every Thanksgiving my church does an outreach where we give away a feast to families in need. At Christmas we throw huge Christmas parties with an abundance of gifts for single moms and kids in foster care. Recently, a couple of friends suggested carrying blankets and care packages in our cars to give away to the homeless. And there is always the welcomed invite extended to someone in your community that you know will be alone for the holidays. Super simple, right?
Our whatevers don’t need to be fancy or elaborate. They just need to be done with a heart to serve people with the love of Christ.
Take some time to ask the Lord how you and your family can serve the least of these this Christmas season. I’d love for you to share your ideas in the comments!
Jesus' birth set in motion God's plan for salvation and redemption for mankind. -@karina268: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Karina,
First I would like to thank my friends here at (in)courage who have donated to Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. – a non-profit I head up that has a school for orphans and destitute children in one of the most terror-ridden countries on the globe. Friends, you have offered a safe, loving environment that provides the love of Jesus and the hope of an education. You have helped them escape human trafficking, child slave labor and prostitution, begging rings, and extremist militia recruitment. You have told these children who are called “the unclean ones” that they are beloved. Thank you for ministering to the least of these so they know they are not forgotten. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If anyone would still like to give a year end gift: http://redeemerchristianfoundation.org/donation-detail/
Thanks Karina for helping us get our minds off ourselves and on to others…I think God set the ultimate example of giving unto others at Christmas…
Advent blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I love that! Praise God! May He bless and multiply every donation given for for those sweet children! May each one feel the tangible love and rescue of our God!
It takes a conscious effort in this “kingdom of noise” to stay on course in a celebration of Jesus’s birthday. Thank you for words like luminaries along a narrow path.
That’s good Michele! Let’s be conscious together to share Jesus.
Blessings!
Wise words for a ME, ME, ME society!!! May WE all slow down and truly reflect on the Most Important Reason of the Season.
JESUS!!!!
Yes and Amen Joan!
Karina,
This is such a lovely reminder, my friend. So well written and pointing back to Jesus all over again. xoxo
Robin! Tears! Amen and Amen my sister! Thank you so much! I love you dearly!
Karina,
It is very important to get our eyes off ourselves & look out into the world. This world of ours is hurting & needs the love of God desperately. My little church is a giving & loving church all year round. Each month we help out with a “Feed the Multitude”. Our church makes homemade desserts-cookies, cupcakes, brownies. Some of us go & help serve the meals. Blue Springs Christian Church is in a small community & we make welcome baskets for newcomers to the area. We invite you to join our church. Each year we make fruit baskets for sick & elderly. When someone in our church has a death in family we prepare a meal for them. For me this year has been different/hard. My FIL got diagnosed with stage III bladder cancer in January. beginning last December & each month forward I would get some left over food from Feed the Multitude & take it to them. Also made 2 casseroles for MIL’s birthday. Try to cook for them each month. My elderly neighbor lost her last living child. I got food for her. I also got food for her when her granddaughter was leaving for a week to get married. Made a fruit bag for her. This Christmas I intend to get an “elderly” angel tree person & buy him/her a gift. We also help ETCHA-East TN Christian Home & Academy-a school for young women alone in the world- each month by supplying their “need” for the month. Just a few of the ways I can help out in this dark world & shed God’s light!
Blessings 🙂
Beth, that’s awesome! Know that the Lord is well pleased with you. May He increase your capacity and resources to meet the needs of the hurting and bless them with His tangible love. May He pour out a blessing in your and your family’s life as well.
Blessings!
Karina,
Once again your post was a touching, meaningful one, thank-you. Just yesterday I read an article in our local newspaper with a reminder of our local Hamper Fund. For the weeks leading up to Christmas, the surrounding communities get involved in donating, preparing, and delivering to those in need, and with every little bit that goes in, the reach is far.
I hope that you all have a blessed day,
Penny
Thank you Penny! That’s beautiful! We can all do a small part and God will increase the reach! He is so good!
Blessings to you!
Karina, your post reminds me how our perspective and heart becomes more like Christ when we remember to take our eyes off of ourselves and put it on others. To focus not our own wants and needs, trials and concerns, but to look to our brothers and sisters — especially this time of year!
Your encouragement is a timely confirmation of something that actually happened on Sunday. After church, I was chatting with an older gentleman who always sits behind us in service. I asked him what December looks like for him. I guess I was expecting him to say something about traveling or preparing for the holidays. But instead, he confessed that December is a really hard month for him because he doesn’t have any family. Right then the Spirit stirred my heart and I asked the man if he’d like to spend an evening with our family. I took down his cell phone number and he’s going to come over for dinner next week. I know it will be a blessing to me and my family as much as to him.
Becky! My Word! I’m weeping! That is the most beautiful thing I have heard in a while!
I know that the Lord is SO pleased by you! I love that your spirit was sensitive enough to hear His voice and you were courageous enough to step out and extend an invite. I believe that man’s life will be impacted greatly.
I can’t see it. Christ’s image in her. . . Or him. All I see is the man behind bars that’s making her crazy. Making her sell everything she owns to buy a defense for a criminal caught with 10 pounds of meth. He’s manipulating her sanity, her sobriety from behind bars. My sanity!
She came here under false pretenses: tired of it all, just need to get away from everything and everyone…. my husbands niece … far removed and going on 40 …. and going on crazy. And the disrespect.
She doesn’t want Jesus. She doesn’t want God. She wants to get clean, that’s what she said.
But ME …….
Only one week in and I can’t find the Love of Jesus to show her ….. the least of these is too much for me.
I’m so in love with Jesus and His grace and mercy are my everything.
How can I NOT find it?
Pray for me, I feel angry, I don’t feel the compelling of doing the whatever!!!!
Please.
That is a lot! But, God can handle a lot! He is not afraid of his behavior, your niece’s mess, hard heart or your anger. He can handle it all and it is His delight to do so because He loves both of you. His heart’s desire is to see all of you whole and healed.
Confess your anger to Him. Spend some time with Him. Let Him soften your heart.
Go slowly. Take it one step at a time. Start off with the very basic next thing He leads you to do. Keep it simple.
She is broken and hurting and doesn’t know her identity. Do a lot of praying for God to reveal it to her.
It’ll take time. It’s a process, but He is beyond patient with us in our process.
Be blessed!
Karina,
Thank you
For your reply and wisdom
I have and continue to confess my anger, and search . . .
. . . With boundaries broken, enforcing those so soon, may be the simple next step.
Whatever you do for the least of these . . . When it means turning them out!?!? (How unchristian!)
I have reached out in love so many times and been burned, devastatingly so. Can Gods love be burned so badly that it no longer burns?
Speaking truth, is also Gods love.
. . . Is it too late to make a casserole?
You are so welcome! It’s never too late for a casserole. 🙂
God’s love can never be burned up. It is never ending and never failing. Our love is a different story.
There is a balance that you and He will need to decide upon. Speaking truth in love is love. And setting boundaries that protect your and your families hearts and souls is also love.
Follow His peace.
Oh, dear one! What a tough situation you are in! Asking for prayer was a great step!!!! I’m sure that our loving Father who is walking you through this will be faithful to provide the feeling of love as you step forward in the many small actions. It says in the Bible that you have been fully equipped to do the good works that God has prepared you for in advance. Even if it seems way overwhelming, you are prepped in advance to love her! I’m certain that you don’t have to be perfect. ..you just have to keep being willing to be there for her in the mess. Even restating that you are there to listen and suport could be helpful.
Praying for you today.
Tami,
Thank you.
For your words of encouragement, and mostly for your prayers today.
It would seem a hard step is ahead, in speaking the truth in love.
Boundaries have been broken, she did not come home last night.
I need His strength, His love and His wisdom.
I covet your prayers walking through this mine field.
So difficult for you! Praying!
Thanks for taking off some of the pressure to do everything to help everyone around us, and showing us how Jesus just said to do ‘whatever’.
My pleasure Emily! This will change the way you serve for sure!