Reach Out

Among the Christmas Eve congregation @ 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church was a recovering alcoholic named Jim. It was his first Christmas alone, and when a young family sat down beside him he could not handle it.

Leaving the church he met Pastor Thomas Tewell who asked him where he was going. “Out for a drink,” he replied. Knowing Jim’s history. Tewell said, “You can’t! Where’s your sponsor?” “On vacation,” he replied. “I came tonight needing a word of hope & ended up sitting beside this family. If I had my life together, I would be here with mine.”

As the pastor walked to the pulpit he prayed, “God, give me a word of hope for Jim.” Then after welcoming the congregation he said, “I have a request. If anyone here is a friend of Bill W’s, and if you are you will know it, please meet me in the vestry.” (Bill Wilson, better known as Bill W., co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous).

Immediately people from all over the congregation began to respond. Dr Tewell says: “While I was busy preaching about the Incarnation, the Word was becoming flesh before my eyes!”

As we celebrate Jesus birth, remember that many around you are hurting; they have lost hope. Don’t forget, “The Word became flesh” only because Jesus went out of His way to redeem sinners, lift the fallen, encourage the despairing, & minister to the sick, the lonely & the forgotten.

And He said, “In as much as you have done it unto the least… of these… you have done it unto me.”

So, instead of keeping to yourself this year, reach out to those in need – go ahead, make it your best Christmas ever.

The Word became flesh… & moved into the neighborhood
John 1 : 14