Ah, Christmas Eve.
The night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring …
Oops, wrong story. That one’s about a fat man in a red suit about to come down the chimney.
Let’s talk about a baby boy about to be born into a rough-and-tumble manger in the back room of an inn.
Before we do, let’s spend some time with a woman who, through the wisdom of God, became one of the mightiest forces for good on planet earth.
Mother Teresa, in her gentle and quiet voice, said:
“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.”
Ah, such sweet holiday sentiment. What a nice thing to say for Christmas. Then, a week later it’s January 1, we shift into high gear, and Christmas is forgotten.
God says that’s not how it works. Mother Teresa echoes God’s voice.
Here’s what’s important about Mother Teresa’s Christmas benediction:
1. We must have a warm heart. That’s means we have concern for others, emotionally, financially, and socially.
2. We show that concern by volunteering in Christian charities that help the poor and destitute.
3. We show the love of Christ with smiles, hugs, and our pocketbook even after Christmas is boxed up and set on a shelf.
When we take on this level of love, we begin to change the world.
It’s like Ralph W. Sockman, senior pastor of Christ Church in New York City, once said:
“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.”
Let’s end with the proclamation found in Luke 2:14:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
God is great and greatly to be praised.
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