It's All About Making Others Feel Special

There is a common saying that "birds of the same feather flock together" It is not uncommon for people to associate with their likes. This is why wealthy people tend to have rich friends and vice versa. There are times when friendships just happen in the course of daily living. For example new neighbors may end up becoming good friends after a while and deep and lasting friendships could happen in work places, social engagements or while taking College courses. Whatever ones's circumstances of making friends, it is sometimes important to stop and think about those we call “friends” how we met them and why we have retained them as our friends.

This Christmas I thought a lot about how Jesus came to befriend us and make us feel important. In other to accomplish this, Jesus stepped down from his throne and lowered himself in both his divinity and social statues to accomplish God's will. How did he step down from his social statues? Well what readily comes to mind now was when he went to dine with Mathew the task collector and was criticized for doing so, and when Mary Magdalene wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair. All those around, perhaps even some of his followers thought that Jesus thought must be crazy for dinning with task collectors and sinners. "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is” some said in disgust. (Luke 7). But Jesus was not worried about been seen as a sinner because he realized that the only way to effectively transmit God’s graces, healing, love, forgiveness and compassion is by associating with those most in need of his healing and forgiveness and so He went to them.  In practice, it means going to the places where the sick, sorrowing, and sinners would be found  which is often outside the circle.  

We are a lucky generation. Advancement in the areas of education, science and technology has made life both easier and at the same time complex for us. Unlike some of older folks, today we can shop, relate or effectively run an online business. Facebook, Twitter and hosts of other social networks help us to connected with friend’s family. This leaves us with little time for ourselves and those we feel obligated to remain connected with.  How can we ever keep up with sending all the cards and goodwill messages to tons of friends and family members we have? What about those that fall though the cracks for whatever reason(s)? do we ever evil obligated to reach out to them? 

A closer look at Jesus shows that he paid more attention to outcasts, sinners and those that are often ignored. He opened the eyes of many blind people, cured lepers and drove demons out of many among other miracles he performed. All of Jesus beneficiaries were those he called: “the least” of his brethren. In this season of Christmas, let us reflect on how we have reached out to the “least” among us. As we begin another year, I pray that God may help us to seek new ways to make others feel loved.

With some of our School Teens singing Christmas Carol 

in a Nursing Home