Give love on Christmas day. What the world needs is love, yes the world needs your love.
The Philippines got it right, start celebrating Christmas in September and really make it a Christmas season.
Okay, I know many people probably wouldn't agree with, or like that idea very much. And I may be just a little bit biased because Christmas is my favourite holiday ever. But I truly was excited when we landed in Manila, and on our drive to KIM, I saw Christmas lights all over the place. And the amount of Christmas lights, music, and festivities has only increased since we got here. (Much to my delight, might I add).
One morning, our team took a little trip to one of Emily Chan's old churches, Paco Baptist Church, near downtown Manila. As we entered the sanctuary, I saw once more, a stage decorated with the Christmas trimmings. Green garland hanging from the ceiling, sprinkled with twinkling white lights, and accented by radiant red poinsettias.
My favourite part was when worship started. We sang an upbeat version of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” followed by “Mary's Boy Child,” and finished with a song that deeply touched my heart. I don't actually know the title, but the words that sunk into my soul were:
Give love on Christmas day. What the world needs is love, yes the world needs your love.
If that's one thing I know to be true, it's that the world needs your love. The world needs my love. Above all, the world needs Christ's love. That is what they are searching for. Love.
Every druggie is trying to fill a whole in his heart that only Christ has access to fill. Every woman caught in sex trafficking that has lost hope is desperately needing the redeeming, pure love of Christ to fill her heart. Behind the lust of every man that exploits those women is a boy, longing for the true love of his Father. In the open hand of every man, woman, and child that are on the streets begging for money and food, is a heart begging for love. To be given the dignity and love that they deserve.
Yes, what the world needs is love.
As we head into this joyous, exciting, busy Christmas season, I challenge you to give love on Christmas day. To give Christ's love. To give his dignity. To give his hope. To give his joy. Because these things don't have a price tag. But just because they don't have a price tag, does not mean they are worthless. In fact, they are worth more than any gift you could every buy and give, and their impact lasts for eternity.
As I sat on the pew in Paco Baptist Church, in Manila, Philippines, writing down those three small lines, God whispered to my heart.
I asked Him the question, “Abba, what can I do this Christmas day in Thailand to give your love?” And He answered.
“Give cards to the girls in the bars. Write down a verse, draw a picture. Give them my love and hope on Christmas day. Tell them of my love and hope, be my hands and feet.”
A specific, tangible act. Make and give cards to the girls who work in the bars on Christmas day. Tell them of Christ's love for them, of His gift to them. To offer His hope and light in the darkness. To be His hands and feet.
So as Christmas day approaches, and our teams get ready to set off for “the land of Thai,” our team of girls will make Christmas cards for the girls who work the bars in Phuket, Thailand. We will offer them hope and love. We will tell them that someone truly loves them, and cares. We will give love on Christmas day.
Will you give love on Christmas day? What the world needs is love. Yes, the world needs YOUR love.
The World needs your love…yes the World needs your LOVE.
