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The Silent Heroes • Act as Santa Claus: This

doesn’t necessarily mean you
have to put on a red cap and
of Christmas The • Give A Listening Ear: This is
wear a fluffy beard, it’s about
focusing on giving rather than
receiving.

Christmas story from the perspective of Mary, Spirit of a period to take time to listen
and provide advice to those
going through traumatic life
Joseph, Elizabeth & Zechariah challenges.

- Modupe Odunyemi Christmas • Thank you note: Write letters
of appreciation to your
he Christmas story has what she already knew, was he not the father, business partners, friends and
always been a reminder of that nothing is impossible but that the actual Father Unusual Ways to Express those you truly appreciate.
TGod’s love and great sacrifice with God. Elizabeth was was God, and the child your Generosity this • Help with babysitting: It’s quite
for us - The way He sent down His so in tune with the Holy was the Messiah? Why difficult to find someone to
only son to earth, not to live like a Spirit that she could feel had God chosen him, a Christmas .Chimezie Mbagwu look after your kids during the
king, but like the lowest of the low, when Jesus was near, even mere carpenter, for the holidays, especially when out
born in a feeding stall with farm while he was still a few great responsibility of shopping, or when you have
animals. It’s a great story of love, weeks old in her Cousin raising and protecting the end of year parties or events
humility, and sacrifice, but let’s take Mary’s womb, and that’s Saviour of the world? This to attend. You can offer to
a look at some other unsung heroes something we should all would be a lot of pressure make things a lot easier for a
of the Christmas story. aspire to be so filled with for any man, let alone family with young children by
the Spirit one who never expected offering to babysit for free.
Take Zechariah, for instance. He Mary’s faith is another it. But with every • Stand In: Working during the
and his wife were getting old, we can learn from. instruction he received holidays is a drag and it keeps
and at this point had probably When the angel came from God, Joseph obeyed people from spending quality
resigned themselves to a life to her with the message without complaint or time with their loved ones.
without children. It’s no surprise that she would conceive question, trusting and This holiday season, why not
that Zechariah was doubtful, even supernaturally and be the believing that God’s plans hristmas is here again! there and watch things happen, cover the shift of a coworker
with an angel right in front of him, mother of the Messiah, are always for our good. This is a symbolic time for be involved in making them who needs to see his or her
telling him what God was about her response wasn’t “it CChristendom when we mark happen. family? Your time is just as
to do in his life. How likely was can’t happen”, but rather As we spend time this the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. • Donate: Donating can make a precious as the next person’s,
it that he would have a son in his “how will this happen?” Christmas reflecting on This is a season of love and giving big difference. You can donate but it’s certainly a sacrifice that
old age, and not just any child, She didn’t think about the birth and sacrifice (John 3:16) For God so loved the money to a charity, clothes to won’t be forgotten.
but one who would prepare the how her fiancé would of Jesus, let us also learn world that he gave his only son that a homeless shelter or food and • Invite a loner for Christmas
world for the Messiah? It seemed react to the news, or from the actions of who so ever believeth in him shall toys to families in need. dinner: There are a lot of
impossible. Zechariah might have what people would say Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, not perish but have everlasting life). • Support: Identify and assist lonely people out there, who
needed to be mute for the next nine when they saw a young and Zechariah, as we It’s been a financially tough year people unable to pay their rent celebrate the holidays alone.
or ten months, until God’s promise supposedly-virgin girl consider how their for many people, with a lot of due to financial constraints. This year, invite someone who
came to pass, but on the day when suddenly pregnant. What faith, trust, and total people left homeless, hungry and You can help raise funds or has no one to celebrate with to
he finally spoke and named the mattered was that God dependence on God unemployed, let’s all do well to provide support in this regard. your home for dinner.
child John (just as the angel had wanted to use her to contributed to the spread out the love of Christ this • Bless a family: Surprise a These and many more, are unusual
prophesied), there was no doubt save the world, and she salvation we all enjoy season by imbibing and expressing family this season with a gift ways to express your generosity. Be
in his mind that God always does was ready, no matter the today. the spirit of generosity. pack, maybe that neighbor a blessing to others this Christmas
what He says He will do, whether consequence. Here are some unusual ways to you haven’t got acquainted to. season.
we believe it or not. To explore this story express your generosity in helping You can supply them with soft
And speaking of further, read Luke 1, and others this Christmas Season: drinks, cooked food and toys
Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, didn’t reactions, we would be Matthew 1 - 2. • Volunteer: It can be from for their children or clothing.
have the same challenge with hard-pressed to find a helping your spouse or parent • Pick up a stranger’s bill: When
belief. While her husband was so man who reacted the in the kitchen, to assisting with you are shopping at the mall
doubtful that he had to be rendered way Joseph did when he grocery shopping.These selfless for Christmas, you can make
speechless, she took the good found out his fiancée was acts, are a great thing you can someone’s day by paying for
news with joy and wonder. Her pregnant and he wasn’t do this holiday season and in their groceries or other items at
pregnancy was confirmation of the father. And not only the coming year. Don’t just sit the counter.
13 | The Elevation Church The Elevation Church | 14

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