Make This List and Check It Twice

A friend sent me an email that I wanted to share with all of you. It looked something like this:

There are many important things to think about this time of year. We don’t want to forget anyone or omit anything that matters. So, in these last twelve days of Christmas, make your list and check it twice. People always matter, especially at Christmas.

The Christmas story is full of unexpected guests and gifts. I don’t imagine Mary would have been prepared to meet the group of shepherds when they arrived. But they didn’t come to see her surroundings or be served a meal. They had come to visit the baby the angels had spoken of.

The magi were Persian kings. Mary would not have owned anything that would have impressed them. Instead, they had come to honor her child. They left her with gifts that would have eternal significance.

The Christmas story is a good example for all of us. Who needs a phone call or visit? Who needs help with their Christmas holiday? And who needs your gift of patience or compassion? Who needs to understand Christmas is about Christ? You may feel unworthy or incapable of giving, but all of us have something to offer. Some have mansions while others have apartments. All of us have the ability to offer our best. And the best gifts we give will matter forever.

As you make your lists, can I ask you to pray about one more gift to consider? If you are like me, you have a list of ministries that you want to bless with a year-end gift. I know you have a lot of options, and you can’t say yes to everyone. So, I simply ask you to pray and give to those organizations that God places on your heart to support.

The Denison Forum is the umbrella ministry for this blog post, ChristianParenting.org, First15.org, and the DenisonForum.org. Your gift is tax deductible, and, most importantly, your gift is used to further God’s word in a culture that greatly needs to hear his voice and think about biblical perspectives.

Our ministry is intentional to use each donation to advance God’s Kingdom purpose. We are grateful for every donation, and, most especially, for every donor.

Thank you for reading this blog, for supporting our ministries with your prayers and finances, and for helping us to fulfill God’s calling in our lives. The Denison Forum is a strong and focused ministry. Your gift will make a difference in the lives of others.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).