Optional Scripture: Psalm 18:28 (theme selected text)

When Sara Lynn Milton “invited” me to help with the Mission House, because they needed someone younger, I was flattered. (Younger was definitely a relative term!) And who can say NO to Sara Lynn. I had no idea how this ministry would bless me. As a hostess, I checked on the house before and after guests and provided a special treat for each arrival. The small house with a BIG HEART began to touch me in special ways. Then Sara Lynn “turned over the chair” of the Mission House to Betty Shell and me. By collaborating through issues, I have a new and treasured friend. Doing reservations, I have “met” some incredible people who share or have shared their lives around the globe spreading the love of Christ. Some are in such dangerous situations that the messages back and forth must be carefully worded so as the word Missions or Missionaries doesn’t appear. Couples with young children come for a vacation – one they would not be able to afford otherwise. Retired missionaries who have spent 30+ years on the mission field revisit the house for renewal. Chaplains come after deployment. I am often asked how many the house can sleep. I just give them the sleeping arrangements and let them decide. You would be amazed at how many “fit” sometimes. Couples come to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, and I could go on and on.

The House is small and old, but inviting, comfortable and warm, and a place where the guests can exhale and relax as soon as they open the door. God has revealed Himself to me in many ways through this ministry, and I thank Him for allowing me to be a part of this ministry; serving those who serve Him.

Side note: The Mission House was reserved for 240 days in 2013 and there are already about 10 reservations for 2014 with others pending!

Optional Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

As a child, we’re taught a song that you probably know very well, This Little Light of Mine. If you ask a child, they can five you a very clear interpretation of what the song means. However, the song is often overlooked when teaching a more mature audience about being the light of Christ for people in need.

According to the song, as Children of God, we all have a light. Believe it or not, everyone may not be completely aware of their light, or maybe their light is too dim for them to see. By letting your light shine, you can help someone else allow their to shine. Let your light shine.

Optional Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 (lectionary text)

What are you doing to serve God? What are you doing to thank him for all that he has given you?

We all have unique gifts and strengths. Jesus wants us to use these gifts for good. Sometimes it is hard to recognize your specific gifts and can be even harder figuring out how to use them.

A while back, the pastor put out a challenge to really dig deep and do something special to bring joy to someone. This challenge really tugged on my heart and it just happened that our church was doing the service at Magnolia Manor that Sunday. I decided to attend the service and to bring little cut flowers. I got Lexi to help me, and she handed out the flowers to all the residents. I will never forget the smiles and joy that she brought to them with that simple act of kindness. Lexi loved giving the flowers out, would answer their questions (regarding her name and age), and even gave hugs. I was so proud of her that day. I quickly learned that my kids are one of my gifts. They are lights of hope for the future.

Wendy Alberson

I love going to the nursing home with my mom. We sing songs and spend time with the people. Sometimes I bring flowers or make them cards. They smile when they see me and want to give me hugs. It feels good to do something nice for somebody. I think God likes that.

Love, Lexi Alberson (age 9)

Optional Scripture: Romans 13:11-14 (lectionary text)

Christmas is a wonderful time of year! We spend time with family and enjoy giving gifts to those we love. God loved us and gave us the greatest gift of all – His Son Jesus.

Christmas is also a time of loneliness and hopelessness for many people around the world. There are many people suffering in our world with illness, hunger, financial problems, loss of homes, and tragedies from natural disasters. Many people are losing faith and hope.

As Christians, we should try to give the gifts of love and hope to those in need. We can demonstrate the love of Jesus through our efforts to help others. We can also share the Good News of Jesus and bring a greater sense of Hope into their lives. This gift of hope can truly change lives.

We have many opportunities to help others and to give hope to the hopeless in our own area. We can prepare meals and deliver them for the Hearts and Hands Ministry. What a blessing to receive a warm, sweet smile and gentle, soft-spoken “thanks” from an elderly arthritic shut-in! We can give gifts to children when parents cannot afford to buy them. What a blessing to see the excitement and joy in the eyes of a 4 year old at Head Start when our Sunday School class brings gifts of love and hope! We can help with the Boys and Girls Club where there are needs. What a blessing to receive a big hug from a little 5 year old because you gave her your love and your time!We can help prepare meals and serve them to the hungry people at Manna House in Brunswick. What a blessing to hear the many thanks and to see smiles and hope just because you shared your love and time to help feed them!

Sharing scriptures of Hope may also be encouraging to those we help:

Romans 15:13 “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in Him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint.”

I pray that we will continually seek ways to bless others and bring the Light of Christ to them. With God’s Power working through us, our gifts of Hope can change lives!

Optional Scripture: Psalm 122 (lectionary text)

What is your life’s mission? In other words – what is the core motivation that drives your daily thoughts and actions?

This is a potent question to ponder, especially during the Christmas season. Time moves swiftly over the circumferences of our lives. It is imperative, as believers in Christ, that our individual and collective life missions are worthy of Him.

Like everyone, I have been in some thin places. Always, the Body of Christ has been there to support, encourage, affirm, guide – whether it was a note, a meal, tickets to a ball game, vacation lodging, a sermon, or healing words during a round of golf.

God’s Word is ripe with mission statements: Go and make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Bind up the broken hearted. Give sight to the blind. Be a light on a hill. Bear one another’s burdens. Be a vessel of honor, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

These statements all say the same thing – Love God. Love People.

That is our mission – let your light SHINE – Merry Christmas!

Optional Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 (lectionary text)

Families gather around the Christmas tree and begin to decorate, beginning with the lights. The lights on the tree are followed by the rest of the ornaments, which reflect the light and make the tree aglow.

In the bible, Matthew 5:14 states, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” Here, Jesus basically tells us that we were made to stand out in the world. Okay, got it. What else? According to Isaiah 2:2, Jerusalem “shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.” Isaiah prophesies that Jerusalem shall be the future house of God, where everyone shall learn the ways of the Lord. Jesus is saying more than just that we are meant to stand out. He is saying that we are like Jerusalem on the hill, unable to be hidden, and that we will attract people through our charity. As it says in Matthew 4:16, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works.” Light often times is symbolized as goodness and virtue. To share this light with others is to do good unto them and show them love and pure kindness.

As my way of sharing light, I sponsor a child in Costa Rica. The sponsorship, organized through a Christian mission organization, pays for her school materials and meal products for her family. It is my hope the light I have shone on Maria leads her into the light, both in goodness and knowledge. To incorporate the Christmas theme and tie in my opening statements, I’m leaving you with this: we are the Christmas lights, and the ornaments are the people we impact, who now have a light of their own to shine and share with others.