As we begin this season of Advent, my mind is full of memories from years past. I remember preparing for Christmas as a child and making a “wish list” of all the presents I wanted to receive. I’ll admit, sometimes the list was very extravagant and very long.
I also remember hearing quoted to me the text where Paul quotes Jesus as saying, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Back then, I have to confess that in those days I did not believe it. I thought it would be much better to receive than to give.
While I admit that even today I still enjoy unwrapping a present, when I really think about it, I have learned that it really is better to give than to receive. At this point in my life I have way more joy when I make a gift to other people or when I make a donation to the church or to another worthy cause. I get more pleasure in seeing joy in the eyes of others than receiving a gift large or small.
I feel very blessed that over my lifetime I have had many mentors that have helped me to learn the joy of giving. Their generosity and selflessness have touched my heart and inspired me to live a life of greater generosity. People like my grandpa Stolee who taught me about the discipline and joy of tithing and modeled a spirit of generosity that continued to grow over his lifetime.
This year, in the midst of a Reformation 500 commemoration, it is you #myELCIC who have inspired me with your examples of generosity. Frankly I have been amazed and overwhelmed as I have seen your gifts towards the ELCIC Reformation Challenge come pouring in.
Who would’ve thought when we adopted such audacious challenge goals that together we would have been able to do so much In Mission for Others? The most recent totals have us at sponsoring 542 refugees, planting 84,654 trees in Canada and around the world, supporting 197 scholarships for students in schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy land and donating $150,955 for The Lutheran World Federation Endowment Fund.
As we prepare for Christmas we are reminded again of the root cause for all of our generous impulses. It is God who models for us abundant generosity. It is God who comes in human form with gifts of love, hope, joy and peace; gifts that our hurting world needs so desperately today.
In this season of Christmas, I pray that we would all be inspired to emulate the generosity of our loving God. We can do this:
• by providing welcome and hospitality in our homes and churches.
• by providing food and shelter to those in need in our communities and around the world.
• by working for peace.
• by making a second-mile gift to support the church or another charity of your choice.
• by freely sharing the love we have in Christ.
I wish you all a blessed and generous Christmas.
National Bishop Susan Johnson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
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