[R]

Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

It's the same here.  We give year round but we do a bit more at this time of year because I am so much more aware of how much we have compared to others and feel a greater need to share.  

I may joke about living in the house from hell (we've replaced the septic system, electrical system, plumbing and are now working on the framing) and that my property would increase in value if we burned the house down but we have a roof over our heads and our children don't go to bed hungry at night.  I consider our family blessed.

Amen sister and you will be blessed even more.

[P]

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

I sit quietly in front of my computer, with a lap full of letters, as tears flood my eyes. The forgotten and rejected. I am concerned they are depressed, all alone with no one - brainwashed like the rest of the world - that Jesus is the reason for the season.

For the non-believer, it is the commercial holiday.  Jesus *is* the reason for the season...for Christians.

Yes, I know the tree has nothing to do with the actual birth of Christ, but neither do the balloons at my children's birthday parties.  They are, however, part of the festive atmosphere.  Christ's birth is a joyous occasion and we celebrate it in my home by singing Christmas carols, decorating the tree, baking  and, yes, giving gifts because we enjoy the act of giving.  Should I celebrate Christ's birth in any less joyous fashion than I do my children's?  My children have brought home college friends who have no place to go at Christmas.  There's always room for one more at our table.

If I allowed it, I could depress myself to no end thinking about the people who have no family or home to go to, but it would serve no purpose and would change nothing.  I find that getting up off my butt and doing something helps take the depression away because, even though I'm not solving the world's hunger problem, I'm doing something.  Here are some of the things my family has done (and still do).  

When we bake, we make extra and take baked goodies down to the homeless shelter.  Since everyone else is donating the "basics" and forget that it's sometimes nice to have something frivolous as well, these goodies are very well received.

There are many organizations giving toys to the children at Christmas so we try to find something that's more personal. Our homeless shelter has been very cooperative in giving me the first names and ages of the children at the shelter so we can do something age and gender appropriate.  This year we're making flannel rag quilts with a name tag stitched on them.  In the past we've taken down hats, gloves and scarves or teddy bears they can cuddle at night.  For the adults, a little bag with their own wash cloth, towel, bar of soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste.  Believe it or not, they loved it because it was "theirs".    We also volunteer our time by helping to cook, serve and clean up Christmas dinner.

Another favorite activity is to take down some craft supplies and spirit the children away (with the parent's consent) to another room where they can create something special for their mom and/or dad.

Jesus *is* the reason.

Amen, Melody. Due to my wifes and my health we can no longer go to the shelters like we once did but we do still make things (quilts, scarves, stocking hats and toys) but we don't stop just at Christmas. We do these things year round for homeless families. My home and table is always open to individuals that are homeless or hungry.

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

[N]

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

God is caring, loving and merciful. He is also understanding of our frailties both physical and spiritual. He knows what is in our hearts.

I have heard this statement time and time again. With Christians isn't the time of love supposed to be everyday of the year? The Word of God tells us so much about love. It tells us who we are to love and how we are to love. It tells us to love God first, to love our brother, and to love our neighbor. Those of us that are true born again Christians know the love of God. We know that we love Him because he first loved us. We know this love to be true as He showed it by giving His only begotten son for us to have eternal life.

Due to our human frailties we tend to neglect the love for our neighbors and brothers. Not that it is not there it is just not necessarily shown. Other times it is Satan jumping in and causing disunity to arise amongst us.

I would like to post the following sermon notes I have on "Brotherly Love" as a reminder to all of us (myself included).


We are told in the Bible:

1Jo 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jo 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1Jo 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jo 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.


To fully understand this commandment we first must understand who is meant by "brother". He is not talking about our fleshly brothers but our brothers and sisters in Christ, the body of Christ, all those who are born again.

Mat 12:48  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

How are we to love our brothers?

Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Without dissimulation. This means to not hide under a false appearance. To be genuine in your love without pretending. Without gossiping or saying other unkind things about them. Willingly forgiving them of their transgressions as God has forgiven ours.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1Jo 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jo 3:17  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 

1Jo 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Welcome Tash, Hope you enjoy it here and am looking forward to seeing more of your posts.

Amen, 2T. Prayers already said and will continue. It is so great a thing to see so much love amongst Christians for others as I see here. That is as it should be everywhere.

Now you are talking about what we Southern folks call trimmings or fixin's. Cranberry sauce, jelled and whole, is a must.[/qoute]

Yep, all the trimmings to go with it although I prefer the whole cranberries.  

Amen Gary. At least in our fleshly life.

[Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.]

Amen Shylynne,

If my brother or sister have need of bread may I offer them meat also.

If they are cold may I give them warmth.

If they are weary may I give them a shoulder to rest on.

If they have a thorn in their eye may I first remember the log in mine.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Amen, Ollie. Thank you.

All praise and glory to God!

My prayers are for the safety of all the soldiers and sailors serving us and our country. May God guide them and protect them.