Advent Devotional 2021
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“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:3-4 (NLT)
Erma Bombeck taught me a lot about Christmas. She talked about how Christmas changes over the years. When our children are small they will use five dollars worth of Christmas wrapping paper, tape, and ribbon to wrap up a twenty-five cent gift. But when they get older; the gifts are much more expensive and professionally wrapped.
I don’t think Erma was trying to say she didn’t appreciate the gifts she got from her adult children, I think she was just missed those gifts that came more from the heart than a catalogue.
That might be what Jesus is talking about in Luke 21:1-4.
The Jewish Temple was made up of areas called “Courtyards.” The outermost Courtyard was for the Gentiles. (The Temple had a place for them.)
Next, was the Courtyard of the Women (this is where the collection boxes were kept). Followed by the Courtyard of the men, and finally the Courtyard of the priests.
Jesus was in the Courtyard of the women, possibly doing some teaching when he saw the perfect illustration. Wealthy people were putting a lot of money into the collection boxes (which were actually made of brass which meant, when they poured in their coins they made a lot of noise . . . drawing attention to themselves).
Jesus had nothing against these gifts but they were given out of one’s surplus . . . they were purchased from a catalogue and professionally wrapped.
The widow’s gift . . . came from the heart.
Erma said she always missed those; popsicle stick - Elmer’s glue gifts . . . because they came from the heart. I wonder if that is what Jesus misses from us . . . gifts that come from the heart.
I don’t think Erma was trying to say she didn’t appreciate the gifts she got from her adult children, I think she was just missed those gifts that came more from the heart than a catalogue.
That might be what Jesus is talking about in Luke 21:1-4.
The Jewish Temple was made up of areas called “Courtyards.” The outermost Courtyard was for the Gentiles. (The Temple had a place for them.)
Next, was the Courtyard of the Women (this is where the collection boxes were kept). Followed by the Courtyard of the men, and finally the Courtyard of the priests.
Jesus was in the Courtyard of the women, possibly doing some teaching when he saw the perfect illustration. Wealthy people were putting a lot of money into the collection boxes (which were actually made of brass which meant, when they poured in their coins they made a lot of noise . . . drawing attention to themselves).
Jesus had nothing against these gifts but they were given out of one’s surplus . . . they were purchased from a catalogue and professionally wrapped.
The widow’s gift . . . came from the heart.
Erma said she always missed those; popsicle stick - Elmer’s glue gifts . . . because they came from the heart. I wonder if that is what Jesus misses from us . . . gifts that come from the heart.
Prayer focus: God, we don’t always give you our best. Forgive us. Lead us to seek you first in how we give.
Community prayer focus: Children receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
Community prayer focus: Children receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
Favorite Christmas Carol
“Hallelujah” because I really like the song.
Rebecca Collins, 11 y.o.
(Children's Choir song from 2019 Christmas Eve Service)
“Hallelujah” because I really like the song.
Rebecca Collins, 11 y.o.
(Children's Choir song from 2019 Christmas Eve Service)
