Jill McKittrick has been involved with Habitat through the Change Maker's programme. This Advent she reflects on how giving to others can positively impact us.
In this Advent season, many of us are preparing ourselves for celebration, time spent with family and the giving of gifts to our loved ones. There is excitement and anticipation for most of us at this time. For me, this is my favourite time of year.
Unfortunately for many in our country and indeed around the world, this is not a time for celebration. It is a time of worry, loneliness and uncertainty of what the future might bring.
We are thinking about decorating our own homes to celebrate Jesus Christ, the light coming to our dark world, but for one in four people in our world, they live in poor housing, which is cold, damp and insecure.
I have been privileged to be involved with the Habitat for Humanity Change Makers programme in the school where I teach, and through workshops and a local volunteer day, we have been learning about what it really means to be a Change Maker in our own community and in the world.
Through the work of Habitat for Humanity, we have seen God’s love in action in a very real way.
We read in Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
At this season of giving, we can all be Change Makers by giving ourselves to others in need, the way Jesus Christ gave for us.
Prayer
Dear Father
At this time of Advent, we thank you for your gift to the world – our Lord Jesus Christ who came to bring us eternal life. We thank you for this season of giving and thank you for your blessings to us. May we be mindful of those who are in need this season and help us to look out for the needs of others. Let our actions be used to express our love for you and for those in need around us. Amen.
