But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

                    Luke 11:41

A Material Ministry

Sabina is a sweet seven-year-old Bhutanese girl whose family came to Canada in 2010.  Last December it came to my attention that she was very disappointed the previous Christmas.  Sabina told one of our volunteers, Marg, that she put milk and cookies out for Santa but it was a waste. He never came.   

I know. I cried too.  And I wasn’t the only one who was moved. Many in our church were as well when I told them that this year Santa was going to show up…through them! The plan was that I would dress up in a Santa suit and deliver presents that our church family would buy for our three Bhutanese families.

Yes! I, the pastor, told the people we were going to celebrate Santa.  I remember telling them that though we often recognize Santa as representing the worst of Christmas materialism, this was the best of it. The reality is that every Advent season some of us transform into Christian grinches who are known more for what we hate about Christmas than what we love.  The conclusion we arrived at was a ministry of material gifts to demonstrate the presence and love of Jesus, God with us.  Santa would deliver presents and God’s presence to these people on Christmas Eve.

Our church responded with amazing generosity and provided lots of great presents for our Christmas delivery.  Someone offered a Santa costume.  We were all set for our material ministry on Christmas Eve.

Nothing prepared me for the joy that would overcome me when we arrived at Sabina’s home first.  She smiled and laughed!  The whole family beamed with joy in the shimmer of the mini-lights and Christmas excitement.  I did my best “Ho! Ho! Ho!” but they knew it was me.  It didn’t matter. They opened presents, took pictures, shook hands, hugged us, and welcomed us into their homes.  It was a material ministry that carried the presence and love of a Saviour who came to be with us.  

I can’t wait for Christmas Eve 2014!

Wayne Murphy, Pastor
Lancaster Baptist Church, Saint John, NB, CABC