DAY 7

The Gift Giver
Based on the Church of England’s family activities Advent Calendar for yesterday

Yesterday, the church remembered Saint Nicholas, the gift giver. St Nicholas was the bishop of Myra, today’s Turkey and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Sinterklaas – Santa Claus!

Read James 1.17
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Everything which gives us love and joy and peace is a gift from God. And as we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded of the greatest gift God gave to us, freely.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

As God was so generous to us, may we be generous to others.

An activity
Christmas can be expensive. Some people worry that they do not have enough money for food or gifts. Could we help by giving a gift to a local foodbank.
Our church is open today (Tuesdays) and Fridays from 11 am-1 pm, to bring in donations to the foodbank. A list of what they require can be found here

Prayer
Generous God,
You gave us an example of generosity in the ministry and example of St Nicholas. In this holy season, may that same example inspire and guide our planning and our actions, our worship, and our hopes, so that with him we may follow Jesus, the Lord and Saviour in whose name we pray. Amen.