Advent Season …Giving Pennies

Advent Season …Giving Pennies

Today’s Passage: Luke 20:41-21:4

Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” (Verses 41-44)

Words of Devotion from the Scriptures

Other men want to fight over wording. Jesus wants to celebrate the gift of love. Jesus’ symbol for giving is not a seasonal charity-fundraiser with cocktail dresses in red and black. Jesus’ message of love isn't tipsy executives under the mistletoe.

While rich men march to the collection boxes and the sound of their coins clatter together, it might have been easy to miss the little “tink, tink” of two pennies. An older lady, alone in the world, was dropping her two pennies into the collection. Even then, people were celebrated for the size of their gift, not in the depth of their sacrifice. This lady didn’t have a lot to give, but she hoped that her gift would make a difference to someone with a greater need. 

It was a sacrifice of faithfulness. It was a sacrifice of love. 

How many of us really want to talk about sacrifice this year? Maybe it’s hard enough to put a few things under your own tree this year. Maybe you've been reminding the kids that they won’t get EVERYTHING on their list. When times are tough, it’s easy to think that others are missing the message of the season. And we all wonder if we ought to be doing more. And whenever we give, it feels so small. Be encouraged. Jesus notices an older person who uses her Social Security check to put a gift under someone else’s tree. He notices a person who uses food stamps to buy food for the holiday food drive. He sees you. 

Times are tough. And if you are trying to figure out how to manage through this season, you are not alone. If you are trying to teach your kids to give and hide from them your own need, you are not alone. And if you are scraping together your pennies to share hope and joy with others, you are not alone. What you are doing in secret, can become His story of Christmas love.

PRAYER: Lord, we are faced with so many opportunities to give in these days. We don’t want to hoard all that you have given us, but we are afraid that our gift is too small. Open our hearts to a few ways we can be a real blessing to others this season. Help us to be thankful for all that we have. Prince of Peace brings us joy in our fear.