Christmas Stuff

As a family we do not really purchase gifts, decorate a tree or stuff stockings but we do try and take part in  things of the season which focus on the Lord.  For instance this year our family thoroughly enjoyed attending a beautiful performance of Handel's Messiah. That is always a family favorite tradition. One thing we often notice during this season is that people seem to be more open to the gospel.. So we do not ignore Christmas.. rather pray and ask that the Lord gently lead us through the season .. doing things which glorify him. We pray that we are honoring of Him in that. This year we were invited by Papa Ben and Nana to come to their home for their Christmas dinner. They promised only to purchase the children books and not go crazy. :) We had such a blessed day, thanks Nana and Papa!

 One thing that does grieve us during the season is just how much money we as Americans spend on trinkets and gifts.. while many across the globe go hungry. (click on this link to view a tract that a friend of Jeremy King's recently wrote) https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5453094/Black%20Friday%20Tract.pdf
We know how Jesus views this.. He is not silent on the matter.

We are blessed by organizations who offer alternatives and thank those in our family who gifted us this year by gifting others. Both Grandpa and Nonnie's share of a heifer and Nana and Papa's share of a goat herd came from Heifer International https://secure1.heifer.org/gift-catalog/?msource=KIK1K122942&gclid=CLXHoa69vLQCFeGDQgodYn0A5w
By purchasing from this gift catalog you can provide a necessary item for a needy family and also bless those on your gift list.

Christian Aid Ministries is another wonderful organization who provides relief around the world http://www.christianaidministries.org/

All of that said, we want to also say that we appreciate those family members of ours who took this season to bless our family with practical gifts that they knew we needed.. coats, jackets, children's books and school books as well as money to pay our bill. We are so touched by the practical things which others have shared with us.. We in no means want to stand by and judge how others spend their money or celebrate the season. Our family needs to grow in the area of giving for sure..we just want to be asking  the question of ourselves and of you.. what is necessary? Are we feeding the poor? Especially those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ?.? Are we fulfulling what the Lord has required of us?

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6;8 NKJV

¹⁷ But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. ¹⁹ And by this we know^[a] that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 1 John 3:17-19 (NKJV)

May the Spirit of truth guide us into all truth! And may we be the hands and feet of Jesus daily.. both in our own homes and around the world. ♥