I had the opportunity to meet last night with two amazing women, Darlene Marcuson, the founder and director of Lazarus House, a homeless shelter, for starters, in our community and Beth Bilsley, who runs a free medical clinic in DuPage Co., on how we could be more involved with meeting the needs of the poor.  And the end of the two hours I was spent.  I had run the full gambit of emotions. excitement, defeat, praise, conviction, sorrow, and joy, but the more we talked the greater weight I sensed to do more.

This year as a community we have joined the Advent Conspiracy, to Love Everyone, Spend Less, Give More, and Worship Fully.  What I want us to see is that these concepts are not stand alone ideas that you can pick or chose, but a holistic approach to reclaiming what is great about what this season has become.  If I spoke in terms of straight economics, I could, perhaps, persuade you to spend less money, incur less debt and feel more peace for yourself and your family.  And while that all by itself has merit, it misses the point.

This season, this Holy-day is about a gift that was given, God gave himself to us!  And we take this time to worship and celebrate that gift in some fitting way.  What better way than to do the same.  This year, lets give ourselves to each other.  Instead of sending some mindless gift to some elderly relative, go get them and bring them into your home for dinner.  Instead of spending more money on the kids, spend time with them making cookies to take to their teachers, or neighbors, or to the homeless shelter.  And just so we are clear, I did mean, make them WITH them.  I know it is faster, easier and cleaner to do it on your own, but again, it isn’t necessarily about you.

Give more this year, more time, more love, more presence in the moment, more thought, more pain and joy, give yourself completely, without endulging that erge to just throw money at everything.  We want you!

Father,

Help me to give myself completely, even as you did through your son.  Help me to see those around me who need an extra touch this Christmas season and be present enough in the moment to be able to be there for them the way you have always been there for me.  And Lord, please be there for those I can’t.  I ask that no one would be alone this most Holy of all Seasons.

thanks, and Happy Birthday,

Jerry