I was talking to a friend the other day and he asked me, “Are ya’ll ready for Christmas down at the Mission?” I politely replied yes, and we continued our conversation.
Later I was reflecting on that question and started wondering what he meant by “Are you ready for Christmas.”
Sure, we have trees up and decorations around the shelters. We have planned our staff party and gathered volunteers to help serve our Christmas lunch. We have rock salt in case the sidewalks get Icey. We have collected coats and winter gear to pass out and goodie bags will be available.
We booked Santa to come to our Christmas Party for the children at Faith Refuge and presents are on their way for each one. We’ve checked off all the boxes. Is that what he meant? If so, then yes, I guess we are ready for Christmas down at the Mission.
But then I started thinking about our guests who will spend their Christmas at a homeless shelter. Whether they are ready or not, December 25 is coming. For some, it will be just another day on the calendar. For others, they would just as soon it was. Who wants to be reminded that they aren’t home with family? For some, it will be another thing in a whole long list of things they have lost along the way.
Are we ready for them? Can we see past the season, the gifts and all the trappings enough to remind them of a child born thousands of years ago to bring light into a dark world? Can we serve them in such a way that the Joy He brings in our lives is contagious to them? Will His love for them be apparent through us at a homeless shelter.
When you pray this Christmas, pray for our guests and folks like them all over the world. Pray that Jesus will break through in their lives even in a shelter as we share with them and serve them in Jesus’ name.
