This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
1 John 3:16-17

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I’ll never forget the surprise mountain of groceries and gifts on our porch that one Christmas. The doorbell rang, we answered, but no one was standing there to thank. Even though the card was signed “Secret Santa,” we knew instantly that someone from church cared enough to serve our struggling family.

I was in high school at the time. My mom and stepdad were doing their best to dig out from under a health and financial crisis. My stepbrother and I knew things were bad but could only guess how this setback may affect the holidays. The inclusion of teen-friendly snacks, clothes, and games alerted us that someone close, with an ear to heaven and our situation, was involved.

It’s moving when spiritual family chooses to bless a relative in need. Tangible sacrificial expressions of God’s love go a long way. As a teenager, I was marked for life because my friends went out of their way on my family’s behalf. The Holy Spirit nudged them to love their brothers and sisters, and they said yes. Now, whenever I read passages like 1 John 3:16-17, their example comes to mind.

The family that intervened in our situation didn’t literally lay down their lives to love like Jesus—but their hearts did. They decided to take God’s Word seriously by voluntarily giving something valuable to someone in need. Instead of looking the other way or simply offering to pray for us, they invested time, money, and care. And I’d say, what they spent was worth every penny in God’s eyes.

I eventually figured out the identity of our Secret Santa and thanked them. It never crossed our minds that the love of God wasn’t in them prior, but after they stepped up to serve, our family knew for sure that it was.

Next Steps

Who are you thankful for because they showed you God’s love in a practical way? Who at church or in your small group does the Holy Spirit want you to serve sacrificially and tangibly? As you approach the holiday season, choose in advance to invest time, money, and care toward at least one specific brother or sister in need.