Tonight I walked down the road to my local kebab shop with two missions in mind. First, to buy some delicious and spicy chicken tikka on fresh nan bread. My second purpose was to give the four Muslim guys working there a special 2013 calendar with scripture verses in English and Urdu as a Christmas gift. As I gave each of them a calendar and wished them a Merry Christmas, a smile broke out on their faces like the sun breaking through the clouds. The customer next in line asked one of them who was particularly smily, “What are you so happy about?” To which he replied, “Someone wished me a Merry Christmas!” I was genuinely surprised that my small gesture of good will would mean so much.
This helps me look beyond the commercial hype of Christmas and see the spiritual opportunities this season offers. This past week we were part of two Christmas witness events, one in a public shopping precinct and the other in a seniors complex. Coming up are two special Christmas services on Sunday the 23rd, preaching at our traditional Christmas Day church service, preaching at the Last Sunday of 2012, planning the New Years Eve meeting, as well as working with Karen on numerous Christmas visits and hospitality in our home. It’s all good. If in any of the activity we can see someone blessed like the kebab shop guys were, praise God.
By the way, we wish YOU a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
George and Karen King
