Advent and Christmas:

A time for giving and RECEIVING…

“For I received from the Lord what I now pass on to you.”

I Corinthians 11:23

Dear friends,

We are now in the season of Advent when our thoughts are on giving… we give in many ways: our time, our talents and our material gifts. The media is proclaiming this to be a record-setting time for retail. Even in an uncertain economy folks are out buying gifts and sending money for family, friends, angel trees, the salvation army, meals on wheels, the United Way, the church and the numerous charities that take advantage of the giving spirit of Advent and Christmas.

New Wappetaw is certainly a generous congregation, so I suspect we all understand the value of giving. Where many of us need help is understanding the value in RECEIVING. Too often when we receive a gift, a compliment, or some expression of appreciation from someone, we say things like “you shouldn’t have done that,” or “I didn’t expect anything from you,” or “I can’t accept that”… or we feel like we HAVE to give back in an equal or greater amount whatever it is we were given. Be honest, don’t you keep some extra “little gifts” in the closet during Christmas just so you have something to give in return to that person who gave you something and…you weren’t expecting a gift?

One of the gifts we can give to others is to be gracious recipients of gifts given to us, be they something tangible or some kind words of praise. In Acts 20:35, Paul quotes Jesus as saying “it is more blessed to give than to receive” and surely we ARE blessed when we give to others but by being a gracious receiver, we bless the person giving to us and we give them something back: our appreciation for their thoughtfulness.

I know I don’t always say “thank you” enough for the many ways you all support our ministry and encourage me as your pastor, but know that I am thankful and that I try to be a gracious receiver.

May you experience the peace of this advent season.

Mike

Reminders:

• Children’s Choir, Tuesday at 5:00pm
• Bring gloves, scarves and hats for Mitten Tree
• Angel Tree gifts for St James/Santee school due THIS Thursday
• Baptisms this Sunday (Palmer and George Redden)
• Session meeting this Sunday, examine new elders, class of 2028
• Children’s program in worship Dec. 21st
• Christmas Eve service 6:00pm