Happy December! Christmas is on its way and we couldn’t think of a better way to ready our hearts together than by spending the whole month reading through the story of Jesus’ birth and finding some practical ways to love others. Together, we will work through an Advent reading plan provided by LCBC Church through YouVersion. Our prayer is that as you read about the greatest story ever told, your hearts will be readied for Christ’s arrival.
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Mary and Joseph go to the temple to bring an offering after the birth of Jesus.
Pray
The offering that Mary and Joseph bring is the poor person’s offering. Normal people brought more, but it was permitted for poor people to bring two doves or two pigeons. Pray that you would have the opportunity to bless those who have less today. Whether financially, with personal assistance, or the blessing of your time – ask God to give you the opportunity to bless those less fortunate today.
Practice
Follow through on helping someone financially today – if you don’t hear from someone online, go out tonight looking for people who need financial help. Pay for someone’s dinner. Pay someone’s total at the grocery store – be creative in helping those less fortunate.
