Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.
Read
Psalm 113 (NRSV)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Reflect
At Christmas, many people are more likely to reach out to help those in need than at other times of the year. Your church and/or your place of employment may even sponsor families or take food baskets to those who are in need. Yet, people are not needy only at Christmas. So, why do we often limit such giving to one time of the year?
I wonder if recognizing God’s gift of Jesus to all people may shame some of us into reaching deeper into our pockets. Perhaps our awareness of the needs around us is raised by the mass mailings and other pleas for assistance. Maybe we are simply willing to give because it is nearing the end of the year and we need the break on our taxes.
The psalmist tells us that God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes. To me, that sounds like God is leveling the playing field for all people. We are all God’s children and God wants us to reach out to those who are in need regardless of the season.
Pray
God, make us more aware of your children who are in need: physically, spiritually, emotionally, and in any other way. Show us ways we can provide at least some of what is needed whether it be through financial donations or time and energy spent serving alongside these people. Amen.
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