Giving to the Poor at Christmas

Last week, I had decided to deliver some food staples to a few people as preparation for giving to others in celebration of the gift of God in the giving of His Son Jesus.  Actually I had decided a few months ago that I was wanting to give to a couple of ladies in particular.  Unfortunately, whenever it worked out that I was going to do it, it was very close to one of the local holidays and I did not want there to be any confusion about why I was giving the items.  I did not want to be thought of as anything other than a follower of Jesus nor that my gift was a sacrifice to gain bonus points with God.  In addition, most of the people around us would be considered poor by American standards and giving to anyone at those holidays opens a can of worms for others that are in need.  It was just easier to say that we were not giving at all at those holidays because we are not of that religion.

Last Friday I finally delivered on something God had laid upon my heart to do.  The first house was a widow whose husband died just a few months ago and she is still in her time of mourning, meaning she does not leave the house.  I took some rice and a few others items that are basics for cooking along with a package of cookies for the children.  The kids were excited and I got to pray with the widow.  I shared with her why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the promised Savior, and that Jesus had also taught us to give to others as well.  They were very appreciative and kind.  The widow was fasting that day but was going to go out later to get food, but now she did not have to go searching for food.  God provides just in time.

The other stop was made that afternoon.  It had been a while since I had been to the house, so I thought I was lost when a house was being built in the way of the route I had gone before.  I did not recognize the way, but eventually just kept driving from what I remembered and found the house.  I was trying to be inconspicuous but that is impossible for a white person to do around here, especially one caring a rather heavy bag of rice, etc.  This house was the residence of my lettuce lady from the market whose husband had died about the end of February.  I gave them the items for which they too were grateful.  I met some other members of the family, including the widow's mother who is paralyzed from the waist down, as best I can understand it.  I shared with them like I did at the other house, about the real meaning of Christmas and how we are taught to care for others as well.  A male family member was there visiting who interjected that Jesus had no father, a comment which took me a bit off guard.  The comment is not uncommon in this setting, but I was just not anticipating it right then.  So as to expound though on what he had said, I turned to the story of the angel's appearing to Mary.  It would both explain that he had no earthly biological father and thus the reason that Jesus is called the Son of God.  I ended my time with them by praying for the elderly mother's health and the children's school as well as peace for the family.  Before I left, they gave me some lettuce and tomatoes to bring home. 

How strange it feels sometimes to be given when one goes to give.  I was giving out of my abundance, while they were giving out of their poverty.  Of course that brings to mind how much God has given to me, and how little I have to give back to Him.  Oh that I would be as grateful as that family and as ready to give back to Him as they were to give to me.