As you prepare for Christmas, take time to reach out to others. Allow the love of Christ to bring joy to those who will see Him, even in the smallest gestures of good will and concern.

Jesus wants us to love one another. He came to teach that God is LOVE. He set an example of how we are to live our lives with a heart of compassion and awareness of those around us. The Bible says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Sadly, we become absorbed in our lives and don’t always hear the heart of those who need to know God is with us. We ask, “How are you?”, but become distracted as we wait for a response. We forget it takes time to nurture God’s love, so we will recognize the needs of others and patiently demonstrate why we care.

We won’t always know how God will use us to show compassion to the world, but He WILL use us! He will find the way to share kindness, when we learn to patiently respond to the needs of His children. And He will fill us with joy; unending JOY, when the love of our compassion has been used to glorify Him.

“May glory be given to God in the highest heaven! And may peace be given to those He is pleased with on earth!” Luke 2:14 NIRV

Dear God, Thank you for Your love. Help us develop the heart of a servant and learn how to respond to the needs of others. We will honor You with our hearts, as we’re used for Your great purpose. And we will gratefully remember; when we serve others, we are serving YOU. Amen