Hope for Christmas Part 2

I spent a few joyful hours yesterday participating in an event at my church called Hope for Christmas. I knew there had been numerous volunteers and countless hours spent preparing for this event, but I had no idea how elaborate the decorations would be or how extensive the planning must have been until I saw it. It was absolutely amazing!
There was a snowman archway at the door and a wall of huge presents to guide people in. There were Christmas trees, snowmen, and an abundance of Christmas decorations; including giant Christmas candies, and huge, sparkling snowflakes suspended from the ceiling. And that only describes the lobby area! The entire church was decorated in spectacular Christmas fashion!
The multitude of volunteers had turned our auditorium into a play land for the children who walked through its doors yesterday. These children got to enjoy face painting, balloon artists, a bounce house and an enormous slide. There was lots of candy too! 
In addition to the fun and games, the families that came to Hope for Christmas yesterday received Christmas presents for the parents and children and food for the family. For some of these families, the gifts they received yesterday may be the only gifts they have for  their family at Christmas.
My "job" yesterday was at a family check-in table. I shared my duties with my friend Angie, who is a teacher at a local school. Some of her students were among the families who were some of our guests at Hope for Christmas. It was a very heart-warming experience.
I want to thank the staff at The Summit Church and all the volunteers who helped make yesterday happen, on behalf of the families who were the guests and beneficiaries of the event, and for allowing me to be a part of it. After talking with a social worker, the significance of yesterday's event became even more evident. Erica, the social worker, was there to pick up the gifts and food for two families who could not be there themselves. One family was homeless and living in their car. Erica said she could not thank The Summit staff and volunteers enough for all they do to help the community. I was humbled to be a small part of that yesterday. I look forward to doing it again :)

Matthew 25:40-43 "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?" 
"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

James 2:15-17 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"-- but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Luke 2

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus

2 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.