What A Widow Gave – Lindsay Schmidt
November 30, 2018

It is easy to get caught up in some holiday excitement. The tree, the lights, the gifts. There is so much that keeps us busy during the holiday season; the season of our lives between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many times we may find ourselves doing the math and trying to figure out what we want to spend compared to what money we have. For some, they may not equal out. I have already caught myself doing that very thing. I have made my christmas lists for everyone I want to buy for this year, I have priced out the gifts for those people, and I have done the math….now what? Now, I say to myself, I need to grow a money tree in the backyard. But, today I was reminded about one story in the bible about a widowed woman who gave all she had to God. In Mark 12:41-44 we read this situation, And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

If you look it up, a farthing is equal to about a halfpenny of our money today. So, as you can see the widowed woman didn’t have much to give, but she gave what she had. We can get so caught up in the gift-giving part of Christmas that we will put our own selves out. I have been reminding myself that it’s not about the gifts. That woman gave God a farthing and that was more than enough to Jesus because it was what she had. Jesus was not born in a castle with robes of fur to cover him; he was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes. He wasn’t surrounded by servants and chef’s to be at his beckon call; he had his mother, Mary and father, Joseph to love him. I think sometime throughout the many many years of celebrating Christmas, our mindset has been changed from a simple, beautiful celebration of the birth of Christ, to the stressful gift-giving to every person you know. There is so much you can do and give to your loved ones this Christmas that is from the heart. There are so many people in this world that simply want a smile, a hug, or a kind word for christmas. If we can just stop for a minute and take ourselves back to that beautiful night in the stable, with so little there, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. I think it will make it easier to remember what CHRISTmas is all about. It is the beautiful celebration of the birth of our Christ and being with the ones you love. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying gifts, that is not the message I am trying to deliver.

What I am saying is do not stress yourself out about a part of christmas that is not the most important part. Instead, be like the widow, give what you can. If what you can give as a gift is your time, then give that. A conversation with a stranger, give that. If you can give a warm meal to someone who doesn’t have one, give that. A coat to someone in need, give that. Gifts are only the most important part of Christmas if you make it the most important part. Instill into your children the importance of Jesus’ birth. The simplicity of the whole night. The importance of being together and being thankful for what God has blessed you with. This is not a new message, it’s probably one we have all heard yearly, but I wanted to take us back to it once again as a reminder of what Christmas was truly about and what it could still be about if we make it so. God sent Jesus to Earth in order to love and what a mighty and beautiful love it is. So let’s not take the love out of this season. Spread it everywhere you go and to everyone. That is what will make the best gift.

He gives us Roots so we can Fly. Roots and Wings.

Latest Posts

What Are You Following? – Lindsay Schmidt

What does it look like to be a follower of Christ? What does a life that is devoted to God look like? When I think of a follower of Christ, I think of the Apostles. They were told by Jesus himself to leave everything and follow Him. Then, they followed him wherever He...

The Art Of Outreach – Lindsay Schmidt

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15 ​ This is what the twelve disciples were commanded by God. If you were not aware, we are Gods disciples now. We have been created to go into...

Weeds In Your Garden – Lindsay Schmidt

The other day I was outside in my garden pulling weeds and I said to myself “the weeds are growing faster than my flowers are.”    I was frustrated.    It seemed like every time I got into my garden the weeds were there even after I had...

Archives

Latest Posts

What Are You Following? – Lindsay Schmidt

What does it look like to be a follower of Christ? What does a life that is devoted to God look like? When I think of a follower of Christ, I think of the Apostles. They were told by Jesus himself to leave everything and follow Him. Then, they followed him wherever He...

The Art Of Outreach – Lindsay Schmidt

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15 ​ This is what the twelve disciples were commanded by God. If you were not aware, we are Gods disciples now. We have been created to go into...

Weeds In Your Garden – Lindsay Schmidt

The other day I was outside in my garden pulling weeds and I said to myself “the weeds are growing faster than my flowers are.”    I was frustrated.    It seemed like every time I got into my garden the weeds were there even after I had...

Most Popular Posts

Love Thy Neighbor (Or Stranger) – Lindsay Schmidt

She sits alone on her kitchen floor, tears streaming down her face. Bruises cover her body. She is scared and feels alone in the world. She feels stuck in this life she never dreamed for herself. He gulps down another drink and gets all the more angry. She wishes for...

Way Maker – Lindsay Schmidt

My son, who is 4 years old, has a favorite song. It’s a song called Way Maker. He asks to listen to it in the car, “real loud” he says. Now my little guy is laying on a hospital bed, hooked to a ventilator, under sedation, and fighting for his life....

The Truth About America – John Favel

The Truth About America With our nation’s Independence Day upon us, I wanted to remind us of the fact that God was in the establishing of the United States of America. We have a Godly heritage. Men and women who trusted the Almighty God were the ones who fought and...

Translate »