And the crowds asked [John the Baptist],
“What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must
share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”
Luke 3:10-11
During this
month we celebrate a lot of things. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries,
families, food, new beginnings, and presents. In the midst of celebrating those
things we can lose focus on what’s most important. We can lose our focus that it
is God’s generosity and love for humans that he sent his Son Jesus Christ to
earth that we celebrate.
I love this
line from one of my favorite Christmas hymns, Mary did you Know by Mark Lowry, that re-centers us on what is most
important, “Mary, did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod,
and when you kiss your little baby, you’ve kissed the face of God…did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation…did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s
perfect Lamb, and the sleeping Child you’re holding is the great I AM?”
The words from
John the Baptist reminds us we are not to forget that there are people in our world
who are not as blessed as we are. There are people in our churches, our communities,
and our cities that do not have anything at all and we are called to be generous
as God has been generous to us in Christ.
When we care for
those in need we are God’s hands at work in the world. When we love others and
reach out, we may just be the face of God to someone else. By caring for the least
of these, we are caring for the great I AM. Today, remember to be extra generous
with those who you encounter who are in need.
Prayer: Generous God, you revealed to us
the highest form of generosity when you delivered your Son Jesus to us in the form
of a baby boy. Now equip us to be generous to our neighbors who are in need, that
in doing so, we would grow closer to you. Amen.
The Rev. Fritz
Fowler is pastor of University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation,
Philadelphia.
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