Give More
“Love hoards”
Doesn’t make for a compelling bumper sticker, does it? No one would say love hoards, let alone promote such an absurd idea! If we’re honest, there are times when we look out for ourselves more than others. To be a follower of Jesus means to follow him in his generosity and giving nature. When the crowds came to him, he gave of himself. When they were hungry, he fed them by miraculous means. To love means to have compassion for others. During a season of busyness, it’s easy to rationalize guarding our time and energy, but if we’re not careful we’ll bypass the opportunity see and love those around us and miss the whole point of Christmas.
From Advent Conspiracy: Making Christmas Meaningful Again by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder
“In practical terms, it means we must accept that relational giving will cost us. While not to the depths of what it cost Jesus to become human, much less the sacrifice of the cross, relational gifts will cost our time and energy. It would be easier to stop by the store of go online to buy something ‘in the ballpark.’Relational giving will also be risky at times. What if they don’t like it? What if they don’t understand our intent? What if they don’t appreciate the time we put into expressing love for them? This too is a reflection of the Incarnation.”
Today’s Scripture Passage
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
-Matthew 1:18-25
Vintage Church North
Today’s Advent Conspiracy activity for Vintage Church North is with the same heart; to follow Jesus in considering and caring for others. Stop by the Info Table and ask how you can connect to serving one of our local ministries through the Advance Team.