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By Dunford Cole

There is still time for a prayerful and peaceful Advent. As you know, the season is about giving and loving others. What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received? What is the best gift you ever gave to someone? 

Receiving a gift is a lot of fun, but there is a special kind of joy in giving. 

Just last week, something happened to me that touched my heart. I saw a middle-aged man who noticed my jacket and loved it. He gave me a very nice compliment on the coat. The churches I serve recently provided our community with an abundance of jackets. Still, my heart began to break and I got a lump in my throat as I began to wonder if he had an adequate coat for winter. 

The next day, I took him a jacket. As I gave him the coat, he asked me, “What is this for?” I told him, “It’s for you; it’s for Christmas.” He said thank you, but it was obvious he wasn’t used to someone being nice to him and giving him a gift. This made my day. I had so much joy and peace in my heart from just that small act of kindness. 

As I drove away, I could see him in my rearview, smiling and waving. I am a very blessed man. My life has been wonderful. Still, to see another man’s eyes light up with joy at the smallest of kindness, was a gift in itself! 

Here’s a suggestion you can do before Christmas Day: visit someone unexpectedly, call someone (don’t text), or send someone a Christmas card in your own handwriting, wishing them a very Merry Christmas. Make someone happy this Christmas season by showing them the love of Christ. 

Don’t be ashamed to share Jesus with others because He is not ashamed of you!

Dunford Cole is pastor of Camp Ground/Rutledge Methodist Church and presiding elder for Six Rivers and Midpoint District.