Pulpit & P
ew
The most wonderful time of the year
It is a wonderful time of year. We watch Christmas movies, enjoy family, go to special events, eat holiday food, and attend the city parade. We celebrate the year’s end, Christ’s birth, and we celebrate the ideal of hope, peace, joy, and love. Christmas decorations, lights, events, food, and all the special times of the Christmas season make it wonderful.
But for a few, Christmas is a reminder of lost loved ones, separated family, and loneliness. Jesus taught that we should be considerate of the less fortunate among us, to feed the hungry, help the sick, and visit those in prison. Some of these prisoners are in their own house, with a small family, or they may be in a college dorm all alone because they can’t afford the ticket home.
Jesus taught us to clothe the naked. At Westside Christian Church, we do offer “Coats for Kids.” These coats are offered for free. Some people donate funds to keep this project running. Call Westside and make an appointment to get a coat at 620-778-8875.
God has blessed us greatly, many here in Parsons. Scripture says that we should use our blessings to help others, God didn’t bless us with abundance to hoard it, but to help others. God will bless us when we do.
The Stella Wells group gives out so many baskets. They have fun raising the money and it is always a joy to bless others with a great gift package. All of us can help others by contributing to their needs.
The First Baptist Church gives necessities every month through the Care Cupboard, and others help people in numerous ways here in Parsons.
But the best gift we can give anyone is the knowledge of salvation that brings eternal life. Christmas is the beginning of the story — besides the prophecies — of God’s greatest gift. He sent his son to us because of his love for us to save us. God’s love for us comes not just with a knowledge of salvation but also with an understanding of what he is saving us from and describing sin. Many don’t want to confront their sins, but without it, salvation doesn’t come.
I hope and pray that God will bless you with his greatest gift of taking on your sin so that you may be acceptable in God’s eyes, not by obedience, works or understanding, but by your faith in his son Jesus Christ. Have a wonderful Christmas season. And I pray it will be the Most Wonderful Time of Year for you.
God’s blessings be unto you.
— Doug Baty Westside Christian Church
