Christ Our Shepherd Advent Devotion Series 2025
Traditional Thursday
December 11, 2025
What a Gift!
Please enjoy this Advent Devotional written by Gwen Garrison.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Luke 1:53
The Christmas when I was about ten, my Dad suffered a massive ulcer attack requiring removal of 2/3 of his stomach and keeping him out of work for weeks. As an automobile mechanic who worked on commission, he had no disability coverage and did not get paid if he did not work. I recall my mother sobbing at the hospital and feeling so helpless. I remember my parents’ anxiety about how to pay the bills and their inability to provide anything for the family for Christmas. Dad’s boss stepped in unexpectedly and kept paying him until he could work again. What a gift!
Decades later, I experienced similar generosity. My husband was out of work at Christmas, and my income was not sufficient to support the family alone. My Sunday School class somehow found out and left two hundred dollars’ worth of grocery store gift certificates in our mailbox. Back then, that bought a months’ worth of food! What a gift!
Loving Spirit, guide us to those who need our nourishment, whether it be financial, physical, emotional or spiritual. Help us love like you do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
