Advent Devotional – 11.30.2021
Bobbi Preston
2 Corinthians 9:7: “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Recently I accompanied a friend with cancer to her first appointment at MD Anderson in Houston. Another friend had graciously purchased her ticket for her and had placed her in first class. I decided not to pay the extra money and elected to sit in coach. Airline staff allowed me to board in the first class group so that I could help her with her carry-on. As we were walking down the jetway joking about me sitting in the back of the plane, a gentleman in front of us turned to ask my friend if she was sitting in first class. When she replied that she was, he turned to me and handed me his boarding pass- he had the seat next to her. He smiled, told us to have a blessed day and cheerfully took my seat back in row 22 so that I could sit with her. I was so incredibly touched by his generosity.
Often times we become so focused on finding and purchasing the “perfect” Christmas gifts for everyone on our list. As much as I enjoy gift exchanges with friends and family, rarely have I gotten a tangible gift that meant as much as this gesture from a stranger. This year, as we enter the advent season, what if we could shift our focus away from everything leading up to Christmas Day and instead look for opportunities to give cheerfully EVERY day to those around us? What better way to honor and celebrate the greatest gift we have ever received, the birth of Jesus!
Lord, we thank you so much for the greatest present ever given, the birth of Your son! Please help us to be mindful all the opportunities to give to others this Christmas season and to take advantage of them with a cheerful heart. Amen.