A Time for Giving

There’s black Friday, small business Saturday, cyber-Monday, and giving Tuesday. I don’t know about you, but my email box was full on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving with all kinds of solicitations. Many businesses and organizations were trying to seize on peoples’ good will on “giving Tuesday.” But truth be told: The entire Christmas season is a time of giving. God gives us His Son Jesus. Shepherds give the gift of themselves. Wisemen give their best treasurers.

I grew up in a home that practiced the exchange of gifts at Christmas time. This weekend Grace Church will practice the art of giving also. We’ll begin by giving a Christmas drama to one another and to the community. “Animals at the Christmas Scene” is a light-hearted drama with a powerful message. Please join us and plan to bring your family and friends to either one of the presentations highlighted on the attached flyer. You won’t be disappointed. You will be touched.

The spirit of giving continues Sunday morning as we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent with a special litany and lighting of three candles on our Advent wreath. We’ll greet each other warmly, sing Christmas carols, offer prayers, give an offering, and hear the third message in our New Reality Advent series entitled, “Sharing Generously.” Together, we’ll discover how Jesus coming into the world opens our hearts to give generously and freely in the example of God himself.

Christmas is a time of giving. In fact, every day is a time of giving for believers who have been blessed by God! What will you give this weekend? Will it be the gift of an invitation to our Christmas drama to a friend who needs hope? Will it be the gift of friendship toward someone who is lonely? Will it be a generous offering on Sunday morning? Or, might it be the gift of yourself given fully to God in worship this Sunday morning with your family & friends at Grace Church?