Saturday, December 9, 2023

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.  Luke 14:13

Illustration by Clara Guzman, age 11

Christmas brings a season of hope and thanksgiving.

During the Christmas season, we take time to reflect and commemorate this deeply meaningful and joyous occasion. We consider the way our acts of service bring hope to others as we try to follow the example of Jesus.

We think about his testimony, the truth it brings to our lives, and the valuable lessons it gives us through his many wise parables.

The bible says that when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. While it’s a stretch to call what we give a banquet, it does lift the spirits of others.

For the hope I find in the season, I need not look further than our own city’s Salvation Army Center of Hope.

Groups of us rise early in the morning, hot beverages in hand, and embark on a journey along the nearly empty Interstate 77. The bustle of breakfast making buzzes all around the kitchen. Sizzling bacon fills it with savory delight. The constant pouring and flipping of many hundreds of pancakes punctuates the shared stories of friendship and laughter that drive the service.

The most rewarding part of it is by far the beautiful souls that we serve. You might be down on your luck, but we can at least try to bring a friendly smile. My personal favorite part of it is the lives you learn about walking around the room. Everyone loves a hot breakfast.

As I close this story, I think back to the blessing of these meals. Everyone has their own way to say it, and here’s ours:

Heavenly Father, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, minds, and souls, and us to your service.  Amen

Karl Schelhammer

To share breakfast ingredients, or to prepare and serve more than 300 Center of Hope unhoused neighbors this Saturday, December 16, click here.

Subscribe to our Advent Devotionals to receive them daily in your inbox!