DECEMBER 23, 2020

A CHRISTMAS TOUCH IN THE YEAR OF A TOUCHLESS CHRISTMAS

The Word, which gives life! He existed from the beginning. We have heard him, we have seen him with our eyes, we have contemplated him, we have touched him with our hands! The life appeared, and we have seen it. We are testifying to it and announcing it to you — eternal life! He was with the Father, and he appeared to us. What we have seen and heard, we are proclaiming to you; so that you too may have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Yeshua the Messiah. 1 John 1:1-3 (CJB)

Christmas Touch
Written in 2008
 
A simple touch
can mean so much
in time of human need.
I want to thank
each one of you
for times that you’ve touched me.
For isn’t that
what God has done
in sending us His Son?
At Christmas
He reached down His hand
and touched us, every one.

Christmas 2020: Will this be the year of the “touchless” Christmas? Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have gone far too long without the most comforting gesture a brother or sister in Christ can give us – the hug. We touch elbows or give “air hugs,” but it is not the same. Our smiles are hidden behind our face masks. Hand sanitizer is in short supply. Cashiers are behind plexiglass. Even pizza arrives in a sealed box with “contactless delivery.” A Santa friend of mine is doing social distancing photo shoots with children since hundreds of children sitting on Santa’s knee would be a frightening threat of spreading germs. The pics are cute, but it’s not the same as sitting on his knee and whispering your wishes into his ear.

However, there are other ways we “touch” someone. As stated above, God the Father touched us with His love when He sent His only begotten Son to live among us, help us understand His love and grace, and eventually die in our place on the cross. How can we “touch” others with the love of Jesus? Instead of saying, “I will pray for you,” to that person calling for comfort, take time to pray with them over the phone. Send a card or letter to the friend in the hospital or stuck at home due to illness or vulnerability to illness. Post encouraging thoughts and scripture on your social media page. Gather your children together to go FaceTime caroling or record them acting out the story of Jesus being born in Bethlehem and post it being sure to tag the grandparents and friends. Take out the neighbor’s trash or rake her leaves. Give blankets to a ministry to the homeless. Reach out and “touch” people in the name of Jesus even more this year than most and continue doing so in 2021 and always. We may not be able to attend a candlelight Christmas Eve service and hug everyone there this year, but we CAN touch others by sharing the love of Jesus in creative ways.

Lord, help us to find ways to touch other people’s hearts in your name even though hugging or even shaking hands is discouraged this year.