“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. . .and whatever other commandment there may be, [are] summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10 NIV)
This is the beginning of the Christmas season. This is a time when we believers celebrate the greatest act of love, the greatest gift ever given — ” The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. . .” (1 John 4:14) And what is the way that the Father asks us to illustrate that gift to the world? By loving our neighbor as ourselves.
As we decorate our homes and our yards, have we noticed the senior on our street who lives alone and has trouble even raking the leaves out of his or her yard? Would they maybe like some Christmas cookies, or a wreath for their door, or something Christmas-y for their table?
What about the single mom, struggling to make ends meet. She has no time or money for decorations and frills. Would she like a tree for her house, or some cookies for her and her kids?
There are several opportunities to show love this Christmas season. In every communitiy, the fire and police department have some sort of Toys for Tots program. The local food banks are always looking for help at this season. Rescue missions or Salvation army shelters have practical ideas.
If you are one of my Foothills readers, we will be distributing food boxes at Christmas. Pick up a card with a family name on December 7. Pray for that family. Involve your family. Make this a fun time of giving.
My prayers are with the family and friends of Jdimytai Damour, 34, of Queens, New York, who was trampled to death as he was opening the doors of a Long Island Wal-Mart on Friday morning.
I wonder if the people involved that morning, some who had been standing in line since 9p.m. Thanksgiving night, think that plasma TV or latest video game was worth it . . .
Plea for Grace 