2021 December #1
By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF)
Receiving a gift is always such a nice feeling, right?
Gifts are given for all kinds of reasons. The usual gift-giving times are a birthday, an anniversary, or a holiday celebration. Sometimes, gifts are even given randomly as an act of kindness.
Usually, though, when a gift is given, they reflect both the person giving it and the person who receives it. A truly notable gift, one that is remembered for years to come, is one that shows the receiver was thought about when the gift was either purchased or made.
That consideration shows that the person was deemed worthy of giving a gift to. If it was handmade, that thought goes even deeper, as time and effort has been put into the gift.
That’s special, for sure. But, what about giving a gift that affects a life in a more personal way…in a deep-rooted way? What about making it a matter of the heart..?
It’s something to think about.
Those who are homeless do not get to receive gifts, for the most part. There may be the occasional handout from people who want to “do something” to show they care. But, generally, a gift given to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or holiday is no longer a piece of their life’s journey.
Holidays are hard for many people. When a life circumstance has changed the way “it used to be,” holidays are sometimes dreaded.
One of the many reasons why holidays are so hard to get through, is the concept of feeling unloved or unimportant. A person may feel that no one takes the time to be with them, or even thinks about giving them gifts to commemorate a special day. Things have changed for them.
We want to be part of a positive change in their life — a change that will not just be important on a certain day of the year.
One of the greatest gifts we can give someone, is love.
We want to make this year’s holiday a life-changing Christmas for the homeless and hungry people of our city, not only by providing for their physical needs, but by sharing God (love) with them.
Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As God’s Son, He came to earth through a virgin birth for a specific purpose. He showed us a life full of perfect love, and then gave the ultimate sacrifice (Himself) for us, so we could have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
His love is the love we want to introduce to those who come to us. Scripture gives us account after account of times when Jesus was faced with adversity and overcame it with love. To the homeless who have lost so much, finding out that there really is hope in this world is huge.
Also, knowing that they are not alone in their circumstance helps.
Being able to spend time with other like-minded people helps to strengthen us, whether we are homeless or not. Christmas meals at the shelter and at our annual holiday feast are gatherings to provide nourishment and to provide opportunities to engage in fellowship.
We like to use that time to invite the homeless to join our programs which will help them learn more about how the love of God can change their lives. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
This Christmas really can be a life-changing experience.
If you or someone you know would like a Christmas meal, or more information, please call our business office at 505-217-9586.
