Brandon's Writings

[original posting date, Monday, December 22nd, 2008]

to start with, i want you to know that i’m not one of those people who will start a debate with you over theology and how yours and mine may differ. this is my point of view, and if you would like to discuss it with me, that is fine. however, please take everything i say to heart, as well as with a grain of salt. usually works out better that way. ok, let’s go. [enter the worship circle is playing.]

i’ve always thought “Christmas” to be a strange holiday. a celebration of the birth of Christ, of how much love He has shown us, and the intimate relationship He longs to have with us is somehow honored by being selfish and being upset when i don’t get my way. moreover, if we’re truly going to call this Jesus’ day of birth, why am i buying gifts for all of you? don’t get me wrong, i love each and every one of you. it just seems a bit odd to me is all. i know that i would feel extremely weird saying, “hey guys! today’s my birthday!” and having everyone cheer and congratulate me, then buy presents for all of my friends and i watch them open their gifts while i sit quietly out of the way. does this seem odd to you?

this year, as i’m sure you know, our economy hasn’t been the best it could have been… (let’s just leave that where it is…) and my “christmas” isn’t as big as it has been in the past.
and i am perfectly fine with that.

check out Matthew 19:21- Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” so in order to be “perfect,” Jesus says i should sell everything, not hoard it all up. Jesus says i should give to the poor. this year, there are many families across the world that have no home, have no tree with lights, much less presents. do you see this with empathy, or contempt? they are my brothers and sisters! God says i am special, the same as He says you are special, and everyone is special!

this holiday season, i urge you to at least think about someone less fortunate than you. maybe you could buy them a meal, or buy them some clothes, or maybe have them over at your home and share stories with them, or maybe just pray. that’s what i’ve been doing lately. praying. honestly, i grow more and more unattached to my “things” every day. i feel that they aren’t mine anymore. has God blessed me with these “things” to be content? for me, no. there is so much that can be done.

so, i ask you to consider the words of Jesus and dwell on them. because verse 22 says- But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus told a rich young man to give up his objects in pursuit of true life, true happiness. but it broke the rich man’s heart, because he couldn’t bring himself to part with his stuff.

there is someone who wears your size shoe; someone who wears your size coat or shirt or hat. consider donating things you don’t wear anymore to a homeless shelter. volunteer at a soup kitchen. get to know other people that aren’t in your social circle. listen to their stories. tell them yours. build relationships. that’s what Christ did. He formed relationships. He loved people. why do we, as His followers, seem to show everything BUT love toward others?

let’s rethink things here guys. and in the infamous words of Tiny Tim, “God Bless Us, Everyone.” and he meant just that- EVERYONE.