Matthew 25:35 NIV — For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

This year, let’s give Christmas away. Jesus commands us to feed the hungry. One way to share Christmas with others is to give to those who are hungry. You could give money or food to a food pantry. Perhaps you have time to volunteer at a soup kitchen. One year our Sunday school class pooled our money to purchase a goat for a family overseas through Samaritan’s Purse. Another idea is to make “blessing bags” to give away to the homeless or those in need. Read the article A Guide To Making Homeless Blessing Bags for ideas of what to include.

Whatever you are able to do, I encourage you to do it with the love of Christ in mind. Intentionally pray for those your hands are blessing. Pray for each one touched. Pray they will receive the true meaning of Christmas by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the true meaning of Christmas. Open my eyes to opportunities to share Christmas with others by giving. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

@samaritanspurse

1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Christmas Day is only 15 days away. We are in the throes of searching high and low for the perfect gift for each person on our list. As busy as we are with our preparations, let’s take time to pause this week and prepare our hearts for Christmas. I will go as far as to say, let’s give Christmas away.

Last Christmas season, in the middle of the busy preparations, I heard the song Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West and Amy Grant. I am sure I had heard this song over the years, but when I heard it that day it stopped me in my tracks. Perhaps it was just the jolt I needed to remind me what Christmas is truly about. So this week, let’s focus on ways we can give Christmas away to those who need it most. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the greatest gift of all, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Open my eyes to opportunities to share Christmas with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

Spend some time reading and meditating on this week’s featured scriptures.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Matthew 25:35 NIV — For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

Luke 2:10-11 NIV — But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Matthew 28:16-20 — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Take some time to prepare your hearts for the week ahead by listening to Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West. Allow God to guide your thoughts as you listen to the words. May the Holy Spirit prompt each of us to respond as God would have us.

John‬ ‭3‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — He must become greater; I must become less.

This week we are celebrating the Advent season, a time of reflection and anticipation for the birth of our Savior, Christ Jesus. As we look toward a new year, Deborah, Ray, and I like to choose a word to focus on. Advent is about hope, love, joy, and peace. Some traditions may include selecting a word or activity for the day. As we savor this season I want to remind you of my 2025 word of the year, Humble. I have some short Bible verses that can easily be remembered to help us to stay humble. In our key verse, John instructs us that we must become less. 

Matthew instructs us to be last in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

Paul instructs us to give God glory in Philippians 4:20 NIV — To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for this sacred Advent season to reflect and grow closer to You. I humbly seek to Glorify you as I select my word for 2026. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

This week we are celebrating the Advent season, a time of reflection and anticipation for the birth of our Savior, Christ Jesus. As we look toward a new year, Deborah, Ray, and I like to choose a word to focus on. Advent is about hope, love, joy, and peace. Some traditions may include selecting a word or activity for the day. My 2017 word of the year was “Flexibility,” which I used to guide me when my to-do list didn’t go as planned. I also made a mantra based off the word Joy, “Dance through life, seek joy in His presence.”

Choosing a word of the year can be what you want it to be. It can be as detailed as you have read this week or as simple as you want it to be. The important part is that we remember that word and or mantra throughout the year. With God’s help we can grow from that word. Deborah, Ray, and I have found it is easier to stick with a word for 365 days than it is a New Year’s resolution. Will you join us in this practice? What word or mantra will you choose for 2026? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for this sacred Advent season to reflect and grow closer to You. I desire to dance through this life and seek joy in Your presence. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion