Good for Goodness Sake?

Dear Crosswalkers,
Are we to be “good for goodness sake,” as the Christmas carol implores, or is there something deeper behind the goodness we see in the world, especially around Christmas time?

Chuck Colson wrote an article entitled “The Problem of Goodness,” in which he explores this theme.   He writes, “The same person who cut you off in traffic last month may be ladling soup at the local homeless shelter …  Our favorite Christmas movies and stories are rife with examples of generosity.” He goes on to struggle with the reason behind the goodness of the season.  Why do we do good?  Here’s an example he gives from his own life:

“I was struck by this when attending a special-needs basketball game for my autistic grandson, Max. He played alongside about 30 children who suffered from autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. The gym was filled not just with parents, but with volunteers and coaches who donated their time for these kids on a regular basis. But why are they doing this?”

He then draws from Darwin’s theory of natural selection to question our goodness by noting that natural selection can’t explain why we’re kind to others with special needs.  ”According to this theory,” He writes, “so-called weaker ones like these children would have been eliminated.” Instead, Colson notes:

“Christians understand that while all of us are born with the capacity to selfishness and cruelty, we are also capable of caring for others. Because we are created in the image of God, we not only don’t have to struggle against our neighbors for survival, we can love them and even willingly die for them.”

Along the same lines, what explains our generosity, especially at Christmas time?  Research conducted by Harris Interactive in the last quarter of 2010 shows that while Americans are continuing to tighten their financial belts, they are still finding ways to give where it counts. For example:

Nearly 7 in 10 adults (69%) say they will spend less money on holiday presents this year. In 2009, only 57%said they would be spending less.
Yet 48% of Americans are still willing to donate their time and money to causes they believe in.
31% say they will give smaller amounts to charities this year.
About half of Americans (51%) say they are now more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present.
71% say they plan to increase their giving once the economy improves.
This report is clearly a mixed bag.  However, the point is that we are inclined to give financially as well as do good at Christmastime.  Why?

Could it be that, as the Bible says, we are created to be like God?  Could it be that our culture is still influenced by the one whose birthday Christmas celebrates?  Could it be that our call is to give and do good deeds, not for goodness’ sake but for Jesus’ sake?    About Jesus, the Bible says,

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,  to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace (Luke 1:78-79).”

Please consider two things:

1)   Invite someone to church with you, especially on Christmas Eve.  We have Christmas songs, a devotional, and a wonderful candle lighting ceremony.  No offering will be taken.  Invite your friends and family to come, and come early because this tends to be a full house.

2)  Give a special Christmas gift to honor the Lord.  At Crosswalk, we have been able to barely stay in the black through November this year.   The emphasis is on BARELY!  December brings a lot of end of year expenses.  If you could give a Christmas gift to the Lord through his church, it would help us immensely as we continue to reach out to a needy world in the name of Jesus!

This Sunday we will see that Christmas is a time to rebuild family relationships, and then Christmas Eve will show us that Christmas is a time to renew our faith.

Love in Jesus,

Pastor John Christie

MENS MINISTRY EXCELS!
Last Tuesday, the Crosswalk men served at Sunnyvale Community Center by stocking pantries, distributing food, and greeting needy families.  We had 20 men participate in this service, and the director of SCC had nothing but glowing admiration and appreciation to the enthusiasm our men brought to the task.  Thank you, men!!!  Our men will be meeting for breakfast this Saturday, Dec 18 at 8:30 a.m. for the best darn breakfast in town, plus an inspiring program! I hope to see you there!!