{"id":1900,"date":"2021-12-04T17:06:57","date_gmt":"2021-12-04T17:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.presbyterianmission.org\/weekly-offerings\/?p=1900"},"modified":"2021-12-04T17:06:57","modified_gmt":"2021-12-04T17:06:57","slug":"a-gift-opens-doors-proverbs-1816","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centernet.pcusa.org\/weekly-offerings\/2021\/12\/04\/a-gift-opens-doors-proverbs-1816\/","title":{"rendered":"A Gift Opens Doors \u2014 Proverbs 18:16"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the story of God, as we tell it, there is a barrier that exists between the Created world and its Creator. A wall. Sin, we say, separates us from God, and separation from God is unbearable.<\/p>\n

And our story goes on to say that God, seeing that we had no hope in ourselves of getting over, or through or around what separates us, offered us a gift in Jesus Christ who opens a door \u2014 a door we could not open ourselves.<\/p>\n

What a gift! <\/em><\/h4>\n

But the story goes on to say that Jesus is the perfect<\/em> gift; not only opening a door but coming through it. Our story says God is with us.<\/p>\n

\"\"In Jesus, God joined with humanity, pointing the way to the end of our separation. And in his life, death and resurrection, so our story of God goes, Jesus is<\/em> the door, now standing open. The giving continues because God is with us, still \u2014 and always.<\/p>\n

Because being with us is part of God\u2019s story, being with others is part of our call.<\/p>\n

The Christmas Joy Offering opens doors of opportunity for the leaders who are shaped and supported through our gifts \u2014 doors that lead to hopeful futures for young people at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Our gifts open doors that lead to relief for church workers and their families when emergency needs arise.<\/p>\n

Proverbs, a book of wisdom sayings, states that it\u2019s a person\u2019s gift that opens doors. As we give generously to the Christmas Joy Offering, we seek to not only meet needs, but to meet people, to come through the door that generosity opens. We open the door to celebrate \u201cGod with us!\u201d We open the door with each and every student who will soon inspire and lead the world. We open the door with each and every church worker who helps us share God\u2019s story with the world.<\/p>\n

The story of God, as we tell it, is not about a barrier, but about a gift. It\u2019s not about the separation, but about the gift of \u201cbeing with.\u201d Please give generously to the Christmas Joy Offering, in celebration of God\u2019s perfect gift to us. Give because it brings us together, to open doors of relief and opportunity and to relationships that are part of God\u2019s story, a part of God\u2019s perfect gift to us.<\/p>\n

Let us pray<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

God, with us, we are grateful for your perfect gift, Jesus Christ. May we learn, through your open door to us, to be open to others and offer ourselves to those in need. Amen<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Join us<\/h4>\n

For more information and resources related to the Christmas Joy Offering, please visit pcusa.org\/christmasjoy<\/a>.
\nThis post is based on a Minute for Mission which can be found here as a script<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please give generously to the Offering:<\/p>\n