[Jesus] called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.” Mark 12:43

Many years back I had been helping the Salvation Army by operating one of their kettle stations and ringing a little hand bell in front of a local grocery store. Some days the winter cold makes the bell ringing challenging and unpleasant, but the faces of the coin droppers make it all worthwhile. Last Christmas season, a dear elderly woman stood near the kettle searching a long time in her purse for some coins. She appeared as if she were the one who needed financial help. Finally, she beamed with success as she deposited her rather meager offering. But as Jesus noted in his story of the widow and her penny, it was the sacrificial giving from the heart that mattered.

Often during my Salvation Army bell-ringing experience, I noticed that the people who gave the most often were ones who seemed to be the poorest, and their beaming countenance reflected their joy in giving. But the ones I remember the most are the children who deposited coins given to them by a parent. When they heard the words “Merry Christmas” they flashed wonderful smiles. Yes, giving — however small the amount — can bring us a bright face and a soaring spirit.

O God, we know you ask us to be cheerful givers. May our gifts bring joy to others. Amen.

It is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.  Romans 13:11

AS a pastor, every Advent I tell folks, “Over the ages, Christians have found it a beneficial discipline to simply wait; to wait simply; and while they’re waiting, to take an inventory of their lives.” And then people tell me, “Don’t be such a party-pooper.” Honestly, I don’t enjoy the role of John the Baptist who calls people to repentance. I prefer being Mike the Methodist who attends a slew of Sunday school Christmas parties.  Yet we are called to prepare for Christ’s coming as we wait. We prepare for Jesus’ coming by acknowledging our need for him. Realizing that we need Jesus isn’t very merry. It requires us to be honest about what’s missing in our lives and about what’s wrong with us. Advent calls us to recognize that the void in our soul cannot be filled by gadgets, entertainment, food, alcohol, drugs, sports, busyness, travel, work, religion, or church. We know that because we’ve tried. These do not satisfy because the void in us is a God-shaped hole that only the Holy One can fill.

Advent prepares us to see that Jesus, the baby in the manger, is the Holy One of God. If we do not wake up, our sleepy eyes will not recognize God in the baby who looks more like us than like God.

An incident in my workplace caused a misunderstanding between me and one of my colleagues, and we argued. She at once stopped talking to me. My first thought was to treat her the same way, but then I remembered the verse, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” I prayed silently, asking God to give me grace in this situation. I continued to talk with her and offered her help whenever she required it. Slowly she started speaking with me in her usual cheerful manner, and soon the small tiff was forgotten.  I was happy that I listened to the Spirit’s guidance and applied the words of scripture to my life. Whatever our circumstances, if we trust in God and put the wisdom of scripture into practice, the Lord is able to work everything out for our good. God can give us grace to be loving even in times of disagreement. Treating others kindly also sets an example for those around us. Perhaps by doing so we can help them realize the true meaning of Christianity. 

Lord, give us grace to live in Christ like ways so that we bring others to you by our example. Amen.

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  James 2:9–10

It’s easy to think that favoritism is a small thing. We’ll justify it by thinking that it’s our right to treat some people better than others or say things like, “Just keep this between you and me….” But no matter how we spin it, favoritism is a sin.  Every time we show favoritism; every time we discriminate, we are making a mockery of God’s creative genius. We’re essentially saying, “God, you did a good job with this, but not so much with that.”  When you lock eyes with someone—anyone—you are looking at a person who is so valuable and precious to God that he sent his only Son to die for them. Before exhibiting preferential treatment, remember how much they matter to God. And understand that they should matter that much to you.

Dear Lord, It is so easy for me to pick and choose the people I want to accept. But when I show favoritism, help me to remember that you love that person just as much as you love me. And help me to see the value they have in your eyes. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.  James 2:12

If you are a Christian, how do other people know? If you boil it down, what evidence shows others that you have accepted Christ as your Savior? It all comes down to actions, how you behave and treat others.  We are saved because of our profession of faith in God and what his Son, Jesus, did for us on the cross. We do not receive our salvation because of good behavior. But our faith should be evident in the things that we do. In other words, our talk and our walk have to be in sync.  No matter who we are dealing with at the time, God expects us to reveal Christ to others. The greatest way to do that is through our actions. God wants us to speak and act in ways that reflect his mercy, his grace and his forgiveness. 

As you go through each day, look for ways to mirror the compassion of God. Exhibit kindness in everything you do and say. And readily offer forgiveness to those who have hurt you. Treat everyone as Christ has treated you, and you will discover the life-change that comes from being “judged by the law that gives freedom.”

Dear God, As I go through life, help me to treat other people the way that you have treated me—with love, mercy and forgiveness. And help me to reveal Jesus to every person I meet through my words and actions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish . . . But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.  Daniel 12:1

AS winter approaches, the sky is darker and darker when I get up every morning. Usually, many stars shine brightly in the predawn, giving me something to enjoy and praise God for even as I shiver in the rural cold.  But for a week recently, cloud cover hid the stars from view. I resented this especially because I wanted to see the pretty conjunction of the waning moon and the planet Mercury. Then I realized that whether or not I could see it, the great drama of the night sky would still go on. I don’t have to see it to know it is happening.

Today’s reading from Daniel seeks to reassure a persecuted people by reminding them — and us — of the truth that whether or not we can see it, a great drama is going on that is every bit as real as the stars in the sky. The archangel Michael is described as “the protector of [God’s] people.” Because of this reality, we can rest assured that God’s story is being played out, seen or unseen. Whether we realize it or not, God is at work.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  James 2:8

Isn’t it interesting that this verse assumes we already love ourselves? God doesn’t have to instruct us to love ourselves. He knew that we would do that naturally.  Yet, “the royal law” tells us to put our neighbor into the spot we usually reserve for ourselves; to treat our neighbor the way we want to be treated. This law reflects the nature and character of God.  And if you think about it, if we could just follow this one rule, we wouldn’t need any other laws. There would be no envy, lust, jealousy, anger, materialism. If we obeyed this royal law, we would be living like royalty—set apart. 

When you are trying to grow deeper in your relationship with Christ, first make sure you’re doing all you can to follow the royal law. No book or Bible study will do more for your spiritual maturity than doing all you can to love your neighbor as yourself.

Dear Lord, I thank you for revealing your royal law to me. I pray right now that you would help me to look for ways to live that out every day. Help me to look to the needs of others and to show others the love that you have shown me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.