The "Sweet" Spirit of Christmas

The below was an email from the coordinator for the Life Transformation Program for Women:

 

Good morning, fellow rescuers!

 

I thought I would share an encouraging story with all of you. I was talking about decorating for Christmas on Friday with the program students and they expressed they weren’t too excited about decorating (or, for some of them, the upcoming season at all). As we were talking, I got a call and was told someone had dropped off the makings for gingerbread houses specifically for the program students. We don't know who it was (and the individual didn’t leave a name), but it was full sets of prepared icing, graham crackers cut to the right dimensions, candy and typed instructions for how to assemble them with large bags of candy to decorate.

 

I still don’t know who prepared this kit, but the students had an enjoyable time putting them together and it certainly put them in a different frame of mind for Christmas. In fact, one of them did a nativity scene! It was fun, relaxing, and I think it helped each of them look at the upcoming holiday differently. They were touched that someone put in the time and effort to show love to them in this way and had no desire to be recognized or thanked.

 

I was thinking a lot this past weekend about Hebrews 12:28 “Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Although the context of this verse is a warning, I was reflecting on the reality that as believers, we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken, even when everything around us seems like a mess (as many of us are dealing with daily, whether it’s with those we work with or in our own lives). It was fun for me to realize that assembling gingerbread houses could be an act of worship, praising God for His faithfulness, provision, perfect timing, and love for us as we go into the holiday season.

 

Praying this story blesses you as watching it unfold blessed me and that you are able to see signs of God’s “sweet” provision in your own life as you go into the Christmas season!