Done it for Love: The Simple Heart of ChristmasPete Greig - 24 Dec 2012
One Christmas Eve in South Carolina, Richard Ballenger’s mother was busy wrapping presents. Turning to her seven-year-old son, she asked him if he would mind polishing her shoes. Richard hurried off with them immediately and returned a little later with a big, proud grin on his face, clutching the shoes proudly in his hands for inspection. His mother was so impressed that she gave him 25 cents.
The next day, as she slipped the shoes onto her feet before going to church for the Christmas service, Mrs Ballenger felt a lump in one of the toes. In it she found a 25 cent coin, carefully wrapped in paper. Written on the paper in spidery, seven-year-old letters she read these five words: ‘I done it for love.’
That’s how simple it really is. God gave himself completely and unconditionally for us at Christmas because he loves us completely and unconditionally. He done it for love.
‘O Come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.’
Images arederivatives of 'Baby Jesus' by asteegabo and used under Commons Copyright license terms.
Pete is a best-selling author, pastor and bewildered instigator of the 24-7 Prayer movement which has reached more than half the nations on earth. He is also the Senior Pastor of Emmaus Rd, Guildford, England, an Ambassador for the NGO Tearfund, and teaches at St Mellitus Theological College in London. For 7 years Pete served with the senior leadership team at HTB and Alpha International. Pete's publications include 'Red Moon Rising', 'God on Mute', ‘The Prayer Course’, and 'Dirty Glory'. He loves art galleries, live music and knocking down walls.
Pete tweets regularly @petegreig
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