Feeding (ADVENT-URE DAY 8)

We have reached the second week of our 25-Day Faith Radio Christmas Advent-ure, entitled, "The Story For the Ages."  If you do weekly Advent readings, you have now entered the second week of Advent for 2025.  

Over the weekend, there were two readings that I want to cover.  Day 6, on Saturday, focused on the Wise Men, according to Matthew 2:10-11, which says, in part, "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy…they fell down and worshiped him…" The principle from that passage is that "They brought gifts to Jesus and responded in worship."  This can help to think about our own response to what God has given to us - we give ourselves to Him and we give to others, as acts of worship to the Lord.

Day 7, on Sunday, concentrated on the angel, Gabriel, who showed up to two people in Luke chapter 1: to Zechariah in verses 11-20,  and  to Mary in verses 26-38.  Verse 19 says, in speaking to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news…"  The principle for yesterday, based on the interactions with the angel is that we are to open our hearts to God’s words.

Now, we come to Day 8, where today's character is the mother of John the Baptist, a relative of Mary, Elizabeth.  The Scripture passage is also from Luke 1 - verses 24 & 25 state:
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,
25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people. ”

The principle from this passage is a simple question: "How can we acknowledge the work of God in our life?"

I believe this can be answered in multiple ways - we respond to God's gift of salvation by abiding in Jesus day by day and walking in obedience.  We remain attached to His Word and worship Him.  We come to the Lord in prayer.  And, we serve.

Looking back on the Thanksgiving season, it is a reminder of the charitable work of churches and ministries who see that special time as an opportunity to minister to people.  I became aware of an effort in Knoxville, Tennessee that has been carried out by a local church there for seven years now.  It's called "Feeding the 5000," and as a local news story on this year's event, at WVLT Television, stated: "The event is named after the story from the Bible, which Bobby Lewis, senior pastor at Grace Baptist, said the church strives to embody."  The pastor is quoted as saying, "We love our city, and we want to make sure that we’re not just talking about being good and being kind,” adding, ”I think there’s a possibility that we’ll have the biggest turnout ever. Last year, we set records, so this year we’re anticipating a huge turnout."

Volunteers "passed out over 1,000 meals for those in need."  A local grocery store partnered with the church to provide a complete Thanksgiving meal in a bag, along with a food voucher.  As the church's website noted, in addition to the food, there is a worship service that occurs before any of the meals are passed out.  One of the volunteers said, “Knowing that there’s so much of a need right here in our community and right here in Knoxville, I pray that every person in there comes out with their food bag, and they’re able to have a great Thanksgiving..."  Some of the athletes from the church's Christian school came out to be part of the distribution, even though it wasn't required.

Closer to home, in the Auburn/Opelika area, Harvest Evangelism, under the direction of Rick Hagans, known as "Ramblin' Rick" on Facebook, staged another massive Thanksgiving dinner.   According to an Instagram post prior to this year's event, Rick noted: ...we need turkeys here at Harvest Evangelism for our Community Thanksgiving Feed. We were blessed yesterday with a donation from a sweet friend that’ll cover 20-25 turkeys. We only need 250-275 more. That’s a lot but we fed 2,500 meals last Thanksgiving. This year we’re probably going to feed a lot more..."

That event received news coverage on WVTM Television, and Rick emphasized that meals were being distributed in a variety of places, including area hospitals and prisons.  This is a 44-year-old effort, and it was projected that some 4000 meals would be served this Thanksgiving.

These are just two of what I would say are many instances in which the Church is being the Church.  Reaching out in a time of need.  Speaking loudly about the love of Jesus through serving others.   We acknowledge what God has done in our lives through acts of service. Our willingness to give of ourselves is a meaningful, tangible act of worship, bringing glory and honor to God and reflecting the love of Jesus.

Elizabeth regarded her pregnancy as an act of God - that is consistent with how we should look at our Creator God, about whom we read in Scripture, that He formed us in the womb. She did not hesitate to give glory to God because she saw Him at work - she became a participant in the magnificent plan of God.  

And, so are we - recognizing that we are loved by God, we can respond to Him in worship, in faithfulness and obedience, and in serving those around us with His love, so that people might see and know Him.