Chapter 4 - Jesus' Wish List
"The King will reply, 'I will tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40)
Yes, this chapter is about the gifts. It is not just about what you buy for others or how or where you should be spending money elsewhere. It is about what you are called in this life to do. To this point we have looked at the origin of miracles, the messiness that surrounds them, who we are as human beings and what binds us together and now our role in God's plan.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for [one another]. If anyone has material possessions and sees [a brother or a sister] in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
(1 John 3:16-18)
We serve God when we serve others. It seems simple to see what is at the top of Jesus' wish list. We seem to spend a great deal of time dancing around this fact and we never seem to know why. Occasionally we act on it and involve ourselves in the service of others then go back to our daily lives.
What would happen if our daily lives involved serving others as a bonding of relationship; the building of community? We might in a small way get a glimpse of the life Jesus led. And then he laid down his life for us. What is our response? Maybe an outpouring of love.
Peace on the 4th day of Christmas,
Elaine
This week only one Question for Reflection:
1. Get creative! What new traditions and family practices could you start this year to make every Christmas more a authentic celebration of Jesus?
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