A Short Sermon on Generosity
Michael Botts of Hannover, Germany
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. -Psalm 96:11-13
It was shortly before Christmas, and we had planned to take a holiday over the holiday season to visit my family. I had lots of things to buy and take care of before the trip started. One of those things was a sermon on “generosity,” and the theme and words had been going through my head for a long time.
When the last Saturday before the holidays came around, I had a busy day preparing for the sermon, buying the last things we needed before the trip started, etc. I had made a list of everything I needed and was zipping from one shop to the next in the pedestrian zone near our apartment, trying to shop as efficiently as I could without having to retrace my steps.
Like most anywhere in the world, a pedestrian zone in a city of about 500,000 inhabitants will be busy just before Christmas, and in Hannover, Germany, where I live, people like me were bustling around to get their shopping done. The Christmas market in the pedestrian zone made it pretty, but it also took up space, making it more difficult for me to move quickly through the crowds. I passed by parents with their children, booths selling Christmas goods and goodies, homeless people trying to make a few cents more during the Christmas season, and people like me, trying to get through the crowds.
I had passed by one of the homeless people when I suddenly had to stop in my tracks, despite my hurry-hurry, bustle-bustle. Wasn’t I working on a sermon on generosity, and here I had walked right by the theme of my talk? Almost too busy to notice, I almost missed a chance to put my words into action. I calmly retraced my steps, put something into his cup, wished him a Merry Christmas, and then went on my way again.
Efficiency is not always the answer. When “generosity” pops its head up, it sometimes helps to slow down and be aware of where we are. Christ’s Mission is Our Mission.
Prayer Phrase
“Trust what is being born.”
Spiritual Practice
Jesus, the Peaceful One
We have spent this year with a guiding question: Are we moving closer to Jesus, the Peaceful One? As we near the end of this calendar year, we review how this question has been shaping and forming us. In our thoughts, words, and actions, have we been embodying Jesus, the Peaceful One? What might it look like to move closer to Jesus, the Peaceful One as we make space in our lives for Christ incarnate this Advent season?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
