layers of giving

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I want to give thanks, in this Christmas Season--a Season of God Incarnate, for all the volunteers in this town who give from their hearts all year round. I am continually amazed at how much people give of their time, talent, and treasure to support one another in Port Aransas. 

The miracle of Jesus birth, that should blow your mind when you try to think about, it is that God was born into God's own creation. We do not worship a God that is far off, but one that is right here among us, between us, and within us. That's what we call the Incarnation: God enfleshed. God is not sitting high and away from things, but right here amongst us, in the thick of it. God volunteered to move among us and Jesus gave of himself his whole life long, culminating on the cross, and in his Resurrection. He volunteered to give of his love so that all might know the love of God, even if we have lost our way from that Love. 

I suppose it should not be too surprising if we know the whole story: God also chose to create in the first place; from the void, God moved across the waters, and the creation of all things culminated in humanity made male and female in God's image. 

When we volunteer; when we give of ourselves to others, we live into that image. Our God gives, and when we give ourselves away, we take a step closer to our divine identity. 

If you ever wonder what that looks like in action, stop by Trinity by the Sea's Second Time Around Shop any Saturday morning. You will see a divine dance of creation and care for our fellow human beings. People give their possessions to the shop; volunteers sort and organize those donations; volunteers then assist shoppers and collect money for items; then the money is all given away through a variety of outreach ministries. From the void (starting with nothing) something beautiful is created. Each week, I hear of another layer of this creative generosity: the relationships that are formed between volunteers and people who come to shop. It is a living Incarnation of God's love. It's certainly not the only place it happens here, but it is a shining example. 

So thank you to the Second Time Around Shop volunteers, and all the volunteers, wherever you choose to serve. Thank you for fulfilling your identity as a child of God, and for participating in the divine act of creating from nothing. Through your action, you make the Incarnate God tangible for others, and join in the divine and eternal dance of the life of God. 

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