Softly and Tenderly

Getting Ready for Christmas in 21

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And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27 KJV

“What in the world are these guys thinking?” I have often said, when I turn the corner in a store and see people stocking Christmas merchandise right after Labor Day. While it might seem silly to me; the dollars cents that those stores rake in over the holidays show that their Christmas preplanning works and today’s verse tells us that God is into early planning too. Remember that, He sent first angels, then shepherds and finally wise men, to tell people that something amazing was happening in Bethlehem. Why shouldn’t we, who do ministry in nursing homes do some early planning as well? Though Christmas is still seven weeks away it is time to begin planning and putting together a special event for the seniors in those communities that we visit. I began weekly visits into long term care facilities thirty years ago and a lot of things have changed, especially since Covid. Sadly, one thing has remained constant – most seniors will be alone for Christmas. With the old statistic of 75% of residents not receiving a visit over the entire year, made worse by the pandemic, it is more urgent than ever that we prepare as far in advance to make this Christmas different. Let’s mobilize all our forces to share the love and hope that Jesus came to bring to as many as possible!

“Where do I start?” you might ask, and for each of us the answer may be slightly different. Over the next week I will be sharing a variety of practical ideas that we have used over the years and I would love to hear from you any of yours. Please share because what you have learned could be a blessing to others who see the need and wonder how they can make a difference in their city.  Today I have included a video showing what our small prayer group has done this year. We are just a group of 12 people who share an urgency to do what we can, with what we have, to reach our community for Jesus Christ this Christmas. I really would love to hear from you if you are doing outreach into long term care communities (Including prisons) as to what has worked for you and what you have planned for this year. Stay tuned tomorrow as I launch into a nuts and bolts “How to” session on program prep. God bless and have a wonderful day!

Ringing the Bell

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The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 ESV

When I was growing up, my favorite place to play was in my grandparent’s ginourmous back yard. There on summer evenings, my cousins and I liked nothing better than catching fireflies in jars and then watching them flick off and on in what seemed a magical display. We would stay at our game, no matter how late the hour, until my grandmother went out on the back porch and rang the big ship’s bell that my grandfather brought home with him when he retired from the Navy. No matter how loud we were shouting and laughing or how far away we were, the sound of that bell let us know that the time for games was over and we needed to come in and get ready for bed.

Today as we were singing the hymn, “Softly and Tenderly” the words of the chorus suddenly reminded me my grandfather’s bell. I could almost picture Jesus standing out on Heaven’s porch ringing a giant bell as His invitation to “Come home, come home. You who are weary come home.” He is calling all of us, no matter what we are doing or how far we have strayed from God. The clear ringing of that bell is still lovingly and persistently calling us home. Today’s verse spells out, not only an invitation to come to God, but also the wonderful promise of a refreshing river filled with life that waits for us when we come in. Don’t hesitate or linger at catching fireflies, because it is getting late. If you can you still hear His bell ringing; then drop everything you are doing and come home!