The pure joy of fellowship and giving ...

On a brisk December night, the community of faith who worship in "The Meadow" continued the tradition of gathering once a year for food, fellowship and an auction experience.

We generally have about 20 people who come with food, a wrapped gift, and the knowledge that they will be writing a check for something ... well, they don't know what, but for something. The $10 or so gifts are wrapped quite nicely and auctioned off by Wil Waugh, who tends to drive up the price.

I suspect most who attend the auction are like Donna and I: We decide how much we want to give to the cause, and bid accordingly.

I keep thinking, "There's a sermon in here somewhere."

Yep.

And it's found in a letter written by an early Christian named Paul:

"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7)

Well, there could not have been a more cheerful crowd on Sunday night when we raised more than $1,200 for Hope Center, a Latvian Methodist Church mission to young, single mothers. It's a mission quite similar to School of Hope and we have long thought would make a good connection.

This is what I would call "agape giving": Giving out of pure love and joy, expecting nothing in return.

What better way to keep Christmas real.

Grace and peace in this season of joy ...