During the twelve days of Christmas many of us give gifts to family and friends, and for the work of mission in the church and the wider community. On this second day of Christmas we hear a story from the Acts of the Apostles about different kinds of gifts shared with the community of the early church.
The early church was growing in numbers, complexity, and diversity. This growth led to tensions, some of which were based in cultural differences and, perhaps, prejudice and injustice. The church community decided to face these tensions openly and together discovered how to address the threat to its unity. They decided to divide up the work of ministry. The community recognized that all are called to serve, but determined that some members would focus on praying and preaching and that others would lead the social ministry of ensuring that all the members were physically fed. The result? The central importance of unity was affirmed; all were fed, physically and spiritually; and the number of disciples in the church.
How does this story speak to you? What response might God be inviting you to make - for example, what gifts might God be encouraging you to share (or continue to share) with your church community and the wider community?
- Marilyn Malton
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