One of the failings of societies is failing to teach even the poorest of people that there is something they can do to help someone else. When people begin to think of someone other then themselves love of others and the disappearance of selfish greed begins in the heart of individual. There many people that want to help but when money is issue it seems like there little can be done. Finding ways by taking a meal from the poor person’s mouth is needed. Sweeping up for a church may be one solution, but it not the only solution. solution. Earning money for a project might not be feasible for those that are disabled. Yet these people are not always helpless and would love a chance to do something for someone else.

The other day flipping through social media I came across a project that a Baptist lady was doing for street people. She was making mats out of grocery bags. I then began to look on Youtube as suggested to me to do so to see how these mats were being crocheted. Then I got a brilliant Idea I can make a mattress for my tent project of my own. Two or three of these bags will make a good mattress and cheaper then a piece of foam. Well almost finishing one layer of it, I began to realize how soft these beds really were for someone without a mat and use to the cold hard wet ground. I began to think why is this project even necessary. Then I realized with recycling of boxes and other garbage there is less on city streets of some areas for the homeless to use for shelter and something for a barrier between them and the hard ground. How often we take for granted the warm beds and shelter over our heads. The fact this is a project almost anyone that knows how to crochet can do or wants to learn to do, can do this project. Yet there is a greater point here there many project like this that take little money that can be done to help someone else.

It is more then teaching someone a skill that important hear it the idea of doing for someone else. Seeing someone else’s need is far greater then your own. What can the world do to give back to someone else. It more then helping the poor this year or someone less then yourself. What does a rich people need, they can buy what they want. They can even buy friends for a day in some places. Yet what the world truly needs is more love. Would someone take time to help a rich man, of course knowing he not stingy with giving. The world is insane. One sees a limo with a flat tire did they help to change it knowing there might be a reward. Our motives are often in question for why the world does things.

God gave Zacharias and Elizabeth a gift of a baby in old age. They were will past there prime in having children. And their neighbors look upon them not in favor. Much like someone passing a stinky person on the street. Zacharias and Elizabeth were ministers though, and so Elizabeth only problem was she had no offspring. Child bearing has always been important to society. Yet today without children is not the same as it was thousand of years ago. When Elizabeth brought forth her first born child the woman rejoice at the removal of Elizabeth reproach. They rejoiced so much it spread like wild fire to all the cousins and neighbors. Yet the story does not stop there Zacharias who had not been able to speak since the angel appear to him, tongue was loosen as soon as he wrote on a piece of paper that his son name would be John. As soon as Zacharias mouth loosen he began to rejoice. The news spread like wildfire across Judea and people wonder about the birth of this baby name John.

God is not short on giving gifts to us. His timing is never ours, but his gifts are about love. God love for us was the preparationg of our hearts to receive our Savior. John the Baptist was not the Messiah but was one voice heard in the wilderness. He would call the people to repentance, making a people ready to receive the Messiah coming.

God’s gift is not about what can I do for one person but what can I do for the world. God takes care of us all individually, but he thinks about what can I do for more then just one. This gift God was preparing was not for just for the poor but for all mankind. Salvation is for the wealthy, the middle class and the poor. Salvation is hand extended from the good Lord above.

As each person prepares for Christmas what can you do for someone else. God thought more then just about what He desired, for He was and is a Holy God. A God whose holiness is a danger to lost not covered by God’s plan of salvation. With caring hearts this Christmas and through out the year let us think about those in need, rich or poor, on how we can help share the love of Christ. God would begin the miracle of life in Elizabeth but it was more then taking away her reproach, it was preparing the people to removal of the reproach of the world. You do not want the poor stinking on the street provide a shower and a safe place to take one. You do not want the boxes in the street, they are bulky anyway make a movable tent that can be set anywhere for the homeless. Give them a place to lay there head, a shelter with at the least a bowl of nutritious soup. Yet most of all teach them to find a way to care about not just their own needs but the needs of someone else. Give them a purpose besides worrying where they can lay their mat.

Dear Heavenly Father give us the love you had for us. Let us not just speak about your love but find ways to give back in small ways and huge ways. In Jesus precious name, Amen.