TODAY IS…

a great day to share the joy.

“…but the angel reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ He said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”  Luke 2:10 NLT

Somewhere not very far away from each and every one of us are people who are alone and whose lives are extremely challenging at this time of year.

Perhaps we have an elderly neighbor we are aware of who lives alone and received no visits from family. Maybe we know someone from work in a similar situation. Possibly there is a nursing home or hospital nearby.

People we may not even know need us.

They need us to spread the joy that we are feeling by bringing them cookies, brownies, candy, flowers – the list is endless really. They need us to wish them a “Merry Christmas!” and they need to feel as happy as we can possibly make them.

Millions of us will run off to stores and malls to return gifts that don’t fit or simply are not something we need or will use. Is shopping the best way to show our thanks for God’s gift?

Sharing is a much better way and it is one in which lessons can be learned by our children, and by ourselves.

Poor people are not always simply poor in a material sense. They can be lacking friends and family, or simply be poor in spirit. Stopping by a nursing home with boxes of cookies and a cheerful smile could be the best thing that happens this year to many of our forgotten brothers and sisters.

“As the Scriptures say, ‘They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’” (2 Corinthians 9:9 NLT).

Sharing the joy of the season that everyone should experience does not have to be complicated, expensive, or terribly time consuming. But to see someone’s face light up because someone else has taken the time to wish them a “Merry Christmas!” will probably go into your memory bank as one of your most valuable deposits.

And as a lesson in sharing and fellowship for our children to learn, there are few opportunities that can come close to being this special or this important.

Making time for someone who is lonely is also making time for you to do the will of God and to share the joy that He gives you.

Cake, cookies, candy and kindness are all special things to share with someone near you. It just may turn out to be the best day of the year.

Use God’s Gift of Today to share the joy He gives you.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson