What does Christmas really mean? Is it more than the celebration of the birth of Christ? Surely, it’s more than a time of reflection, being filled with Christmas cheer or sending your eyes heavenward?
When Jesus was born, he came for all of us regardless of wealth, status, family, creed, background, sins or devoutness. For many of us Christmas isn’t a time of enjoying the holidays with family or receiving presents. In fact, it’s the opposite, it’s about homelessness, sleepless nights in the cold, loneliness and misery. It’s also close to all of us, even the successful!
Matthew Chapter 25 v31-40
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Homelessness is Close
Every Christmas, there are many hard-working families who through no fault of there own find themselves with no job, behind on their bills and end up on the streets or in hostels. The COVID crisis hasn’t helped the situation either.
Although Revive has no direct connection with St George’s Crypt in Leeds, they do a wonderful job looking after the destitute…
If you wanted to donate, it is possible. Text message with STGC30 £5 to 70070.
Revive Leeds 