But it’s not
like that for everyone. Many will rely
on foodbanks and other charities for Christmas dinner, and many will be worried
about paying for the fuel to cook it. Tiny Tim is still around. Special
shelters for homeless people will be opened and doubtless will be very well
used.
When Christmas
is over there will still be great need and aching poverty. Many will be malnourished or cold or
frightened.
Over the next
few days Eric Milner-White’s Bidding will be used at many services. We are called to worship but reminded that “because this
of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name
the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick
and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little
children”.
Remembering is
not enough. Generous offerings of our
money, our resources, our time and our prayers are called for.
Amen to that. Last Sunday we had our special collection at chapel of foodstuffs. I was delighted to be able to fill my little car with 14 carrier bags full of items to deliver to our local Foodbank.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear.
DeleteThank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteSo true. Our Home group fills two large boxes each year to go to families who otherwise would have very little.
ReplyDeleteAnd they are blessed in the giving.
DeleteOur u3a provided two car loads of food and toiletries for our local food bank.We asked what they needed and our members donated accordingly. We also asked for monetary donations if people preferred to do that. Norrie and I will also support Social Bite as we always do rather than give each other gifts. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to check what is needed.
DeleteI'm hearing reports that people are too afraid of immigration raids to seek help from food banks in my area; others are too afraid to attend church services.
ReplyDeleteThat is dreadful. I hope they get some help.
DeleteWe always try to give as much as we can to various food banks and areas where people and groups help set up aid for those that need help through this season.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's an important thing to do.
DeleteThe Christmas offering at our church will go to the NH FoodBank and to a more local program prviding heating assistance.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really good.
DeleteFor the last three weeks our congregation have been bringing bags of food donations for the St Vincent De Paul society. Every year people are very generous, week after week bags full of food appear in the church foyer to be taken to the food bank to be sorted and delivered before Christmas. There are lots of good and wonderful people around. Thank you God.
ReplyDeleteFrom Shirley in Australia.
Generosity is wonderful, both for the giver and the receiver.
Delete