Happy Holidays?

'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:34-36, 40 NKJV The holiday season is approaching and it should be a wonderfully happy time of year. It is a time of wide-eyed wonder for little ones and an opportunity for young families to make memories by inventing traditions that will be part of their family gatherings for years to come. Most people will gather with their families for meals, exchange gifts, attend church & work celebrations and enjoy the overall festivities. However, let us not forget that while the Holiday season is a time of celebration--for some, it is a terribly depressing and hopeless time of year. Many lack the basic necessities of life--food, shelter, clothing, etc. Many are estranged from their families--some because of their own choices & some because others made choices that caused the rift. Many have lost loved ones & the holidays bring fond memories, but serve more as a reminder of the loss they have suffered. It can emphasize what is missing from their lives rather than being a celebration of what they have. As Christians, we must be careful not to get so caught up in our own families & festivities, that we ignore the needs of others. Obviously, this is something we should do daily but even more so during the Holiday season. It is our duty and responsibility to be servants to those we come in contact with. If we reach out to them in love and meet their physical needs, that will open the door for us to speak to them about their spiritual needs. When we do for others, it bring s a smile to the face of GOD. We must live our lives in the same way Jesus did when He walked among mankind. He went to the poor, the oppressed, the possessed, those who lived openly sinful lives--these are the people He reached out to. He was called "a friend of sinners" and was criticized for associating with such people. We must do the same--when we do for people who have nothing to offer us in return, we are living out the mission of Jesus. Oh, to suffer persecution for the cause of Christ! I can think of no greater honor. Our desire should be to live a life that honors GOD. So in your holiday hustle & bustle, don't forget to minister to "the least of these" & in doing so, you are honoring our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and truly celebrating what CHRISTmas is all about... Blessings! Tony