This Christmas, I know I'm struggling with what to get people that have everything. But after reading about Gospel for Asia's Christmas Gift Catalog, I struggle no longer. God gives us good gifts, so we must in turn give good gifts. And good gifts are not things that people don't need; good gifts are needed gifts, given with love.
In 2013, Gospel for Asia gave countless mosquito nets, blankets, livestock, and literature through the Christmas Gift Catalog. But by far two of the most powerful gifts have been the BioSand water filters and the Jesus wells.
The BioSand water filters and Jesus Wells save lives... and isn't saving lives the real meaning of Christmas since Jesus came to earth on Christmas in order to save our
Clean water is the ultimate gift
There are people living in the world who must travel at least two miles to get water, and the water they do get is muddy and contaminated. This contaminated water has made almost entire villages sick. But missionaries in these remote places can pass on the gift of clean water - a gift that you can give this Christmas.
Likewise the Jesus Wells have been saving people. Twenty-five year old Pramada found out that she had cancer, but she was fortunate enough to have doctors to be able to remove the cancer from her. But her struggle wasn't over, years later the tumor came back and now there seemed to be no hope in sight.
Jesus is the living water who heals
But then Pramada had a dream, where a voice told her "if you drink water from the Jesus Well then you will be healed". Pramada went and drank from the newly installed Jesus Well in their village and asked the pastor who installed it why she would be healed from the well, and what was so special about the water.
The pastor explained the God who provided the water to her, the God who heals and has compassion for the poor. Pramada came to the church and everyone prayed for her healing, which God promptly provided. The tumor was all gone!
Jesus has living water, and we can help provide this water by giving a good gift this Christmas through Gospel for Asia. Last year 125, 000 families were blessed by the Christmas Gift Catalog and you can make sure that number is exceeded this year.
Give what is needed, not merely wanted
Don't struggle with a call to materialism this year. Fight the powers of this world that tell us that we are blessed in our abundance. We are not blessed in our abundance but rather in our ability to give good gifts, to give needed gifts.
The original St. Nick gave needed gifts, using his money to help two young girls get free from prostitution. As Christians we must follow his example and give what is needed, not what is wanted. The love of Christ should shine through our gifts this Christmas.
He is the living water, who came to give us life... and we should do likewise.
Contact Gospel for Asia at http://www.gospelforasia.org.au/
Bridget Brenton has been researching apologetics, philosophy and the paranormal for years. You can check her apologetic effort out at 101arguments.com
Bridget Brenton's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/bridget-brenton.html