Rigney Ministries

We received a beautiful Christmas centerpiece from our dear friends in Canada a few days ago. I just LOVE it on my dining room table! It makes me smile every time I pass by it. As I look at it this morning, it brings to mind a quote I read recently:

At Christmas a man is at his finest …
He’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
~Edgar Guest

I’m not familiar with Edgar Guest, but he certainly has captured the heart of Christmas (and of Christianity) in that statement. Isn’t it true that we see generosity and giving much more clearly at Christmas because, during this season, even non-Christians feel compelled to join in? Why is that, do you suppose? Scripture explains that it is because God has written His command to LOVE on every heart. Romans, chapter 2, says that even in the non-Christian, their conscience and thoughts bear witness that it is the right thing to do!

For the last few years, Benjy, McKenzie, and I have been focusing more on giving outside our small circle of family and friends, and one of the things we’ve been trying to do is match our giving outside our circle to the total of our giving inside the circle. There is SO much need in the world today, and we are commanded to give generously to those who are in need … by this they will catch a glimpse of HIS love for them.

One of the projects we are supporting this year is with World Vision. They reach into very poor neighborhoods and try to help the poorest of people thrive, not just by feeding them, but also by giving them the resources to help them feed themselves. There are all sorts of ways to do this. You can give farm animals, education, medical supplies, etc. Last year, we gave toward a water well. This year, we are giving a collection of farm animals. We’d like to encourage you to take a look at World Vision’s Gift Catalog and consider reaching out beyond your circle of family and fiends this Christmas season.

We pray that you will have a beautiful and blessed Christmas, that you will let LOVE reign in your hearts, and that you will enjoy much love and laughter throughout this special season.

On His Exciting Journey,