A Wonderful Church Family

Read on December 9

Story provided by Elsa

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” —Proverbs 11:25

Without warning on December 3, 1973, Elsa suddenly became a widow. 

She was left with the tasks of closing her husband’s medical practice and selling the farm, as well as many other details, while managing the grief she and her four children were experiencing.

Elsa had no family in town, nor any family in Texas. But she did have her wonderful church family. Two women arrived at her home and said, “We are in charge of Christmas. Give us your children’s Santa lists. No questions asked!” 

Elsa handed the ladies the list and a blank check (that was never used).

By December 15, her home had a fully decorated Christmas tree with wrapped presents lying underneath. One friend surveyed the room and said, “There aren’t enough packages under the tree!” Santa came early that year, and soon the room was filled with gifts. 

God created us to need other people. 

No one is exempt from the challenges that come from living on this side of heaven. This year, all of us know a family that will struggle to make Christmas what they wish it could be. In fact, there are more this year than most. Sometimes the needs can seem overwhelming, but God didn’t call us to meet everyone’s needs. He calls us to meet someone’s need.

There might be gifts to purchase and give that are for children we will never see or know this side of heaven. The Holy Spirit can guide us to know how to give. There will also be moments of ministry that the Holy Spirit will prompt, e.g., a card or an email to someone you haven’t spoken to for years but whom the Lord has placed on your heart. 

For some, this Christmas will be a holiday they want to wish away because it is painful. The Holy Spirit can give you God’s joy to share. Even in difficult circumstances, there can be Christmas joy.

Through Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit brought Mary the joy she needed ( Luke 1:41–42). Mary’s praise to God, known as the Magnificat, begins, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46–47). 

Elizabeth’s greeting was Spirit-led and therefore ministered to both women. They were blessed by God, and that was joy. The Lord made certain we would have their examples in our Christmas story. Each year, the book of Luke reminds us that the Holy Spirit can work through our lives to bless others. 

We were created to need others and then gifted by the Holy Spirit to meet others’ needs. That is our Christmas joy.