By Brent Bramer
It was the day I waited for the entire year, Christmas Eve! Many kids waited for Christmas day, but not me; there was something so special, so hope-filled, so anticipatory, so wonder-filled and beyond me about the “day before the day!” Christmas Eve morning my Dad would wake me up before the sun had risen to thaw the freeze that night had left behind. I’d climb into his truck, we’d drive to the corner store, grab a pre-breakfast snack before heading to the local church. Every Christmas Eve our community organized a compassion initiative that provided stocked pantries, basic needs and wrapped gifts to families in need. Local churches would unite together each Christmas Eve to ensure that there wasn’t a hungry family in our county on Christmas morning. As an 8-year-old boy, there was nothing more fun and humbling than getting to serve with my Dad. We’d load the truck with boxes of goods, toys, and food – then delivering them to each family. The joy and gratitude I saw on the faces of each mother, father, and child as we placed gifts in their homes was life changing.
The scriptures teach us that generosity, service, and pouring ourselves out for others is where life is found. I love that Jesus said in Mark 10:45 that “even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (English Standard version). Paul writes, Acts 20.35, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (New International Version).
I didn’t know those scriptures growing up, but I experienced the truth of them in the truck with my Dad. We’d drive around all Christmas Eve morning talking about the power of helping others, laughing, and serving together – it was the day before the day – and those days marked me forever.
Don’t be mistaken, Christmas mornings were amazing; we’d tear through presents, enjoy Mom’s famous breakfast casserole, watch Christmas movies together, and play with our new gadgets and toys. But getting to serve the day before the day brought perspective to my 8-year-old heart. I am thankful for these memories that make and shape us. Now, my wife and I have 4 children of our own, and together we have helped establish a movement out of our local church, very similar to what I experienced with my Dad. My sons and daughters get to ride with me, and my wife, and see the impact the servant-hearted way of Christ can make in our city and in our hearts.
Brent Bramer is the Lead Pastor and Church Planter of SLO City Church in San Luis Obispo California.
Pastor Brent is showing that God called us to action in this life. it’s so easy to just warm the bench. Our job is to spread his mission! That can’t be done on the sideline. Not only during this time, but throughout the year, we are called to fulfill our calling.
Bless you all