Typhoon Odette (Rai) passed through the Philippines, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Winds destroyed homes, floods washed away lives and livelihoods. Where there once was abundance, now there in want, and for those who had little, now they have none. Death tolls are high and will go higher. This isn’t the first time they have been hit, and it surely won’t be the last. Yes, they rebuilt before and will have to do it again if they survive.
While you were preparing for your Christmas celebration, they were praying the typhoon would spare them one more time. As you were snug in your home, they huddled in fear and dread. You were looking forward to time off; they were hoping to see another day!
You are trying to decide how many lights to put up this year: as they grope in the darkness that will last for weeks or months. Their Christmas celebration began early (September), but the season ended abruptly, changing to a struggle to survive. While you were hoping to find those last few presents, everything they owned was washed or blown away. As you were out shopping for your Christmas feast, they were wondering how they would avoid starvation!
But their government will take care of them! Their Third-World government is still trying to deal with the COVID pandemic! What about those massive aide programs that will surely see them through again? The world economy is hurting, so there will be less help coming. Yes, some help will come, but rich and powerful people will become richer and more powerful as the relief goods pass through their hands, and they take their cut.
What can I do for those people I don’t even know? You can “love you neighbor as yourself” (Mat 22:39 KJV) through generous giving. But I don’t have enough! JESUS said “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Like 6:38 KJV). I don’t know how to give to them! Convoy of Hope and Samaritan’s Purse are reliable, competent, and trustworthy Christian organizations. But there are too many needy people, and my little gift won’t make a difference. I didn’t find that excuse in the Bible. In fact, JESUS said the widow who had little to give gave the most (Mark 12:43)!
As you love your neighbors, you will be able to enjoy your celebrations and know the real meaning of Christmas, which is giving. GOD did that for us when “he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 KJV). He gave so much to save our souls, and we should give what we can to “love our neighbors” like He told us to.
Wayne Lance (2021) – That’s Good News to Share