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Reflect
reflect is a column where a guest is invited to reflect on the theme of fuel and how it connects with youth ministryAndrew Bell reflects on christmas, young people & giving as mission
Christmas is the best. Beach, sun, barbeques, snotty nosed cousins and presents. It's the presents that get to ya isn't it?. You can try and make out like you don't care. But nobody can object to getting a present that took a bit of time and thought and effort.
That is why Christmas simply oozes mission. Christmas is all about God being present. Mission is all about you and I being present. Christmas is all about God incarnate - God being 'gift wrapped' in flesh and walking among us as a human. Mission is all about you and I walking with another human in their world, sharing the gift of life.
When they ask why you are doing what you are doing, you can tell them about Christmas! About the God who is the Emmanuel - the God who is with us - and that is why you are with them. That is mission. Caring enough to do something that will signal to somebody else that God is present.
If you want to do more than just put up with your snotty nosed cousin this Christmas, get cracking and do something to grow the giving vibe - there are loads of ideas throughout Fuel to get you doing it in your local patch. But think wider - maybe you would like to make a New Year's resolution to get involved in mission overseas. Maybe it is time that you planned a mission project for your Youth Group to tackle. What a concept:
All year giving - all year Christmas.
God bless this Christmas
Love
Andrew