First Tuesday of Advent

Today is Giving Tuesday, when we are encouraged to give to the charity of our choice. We need this reminder after the mad rush to buy, buy, buy of the last few days! We also need this reminder as we gear up for Christmas, because by now we are all starting to think--or at least think about thinking--of who should get what gift. And of course what gift(s) we hope to receive ...

God has already provided the gift that we really need. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Wages come to us as something we earn and therefore deserve, but a gift is free, totally undeserved.  May God's wonderful, free gift in Jesus prompt us to great generosity, this Giving Tuesday and always!