December marks the beginning of the Advent season, and while Advent observances take many forms, one of my favorites is reading a chapter of the Gospel of Luke each day.

There are 24 chapters in Luke (a coincidence?), which is just enough to read one per day, starting on December 1 and ending on Christmas Eve. As I write, I recently finished the first chapter of Luke and was struck by how it helps illustrate the Rescue Mission’s ministry.

Luke 1 focuses on two people. One is Zachariah, a priest and John the Baptist’s father. The second is Mary, the mother of Jesus. They were both told extraordinary things by God through an angel. Zachariah was told his wife, who was old and barren, would have a son. Mary was told she would give birth to the Son of God.

To Zachariah, the idea that his wife, Elizabeth, could be pregnant was preposterous. Because of his skepticism in God’s promise, he was made mute. Mary, by contrast, believed that she could give birth despite her virginity. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” she said. (Luke 1:38). Later, in her song of praise to God for choosing her, Mary noted that God “has filled the hungry with good things.” (Luke 1:53).

Join me in considering two things from Luke 1.

First, most of the people who come to the Rescue Mission are more like Zachariah than Mary. Their encounters with God and His promises do not initially produce belief. Instead, they are skeptical until God shows them rock bottom (for Zachariah this was being mute, for many of our homeless friends this can be addiction, homelessness, poverty, and suffering). Yet, God does eventually bring His people to Himself (just like he did with Maria, who shares her life story in this month’s Rescuer). Like Maria, Zachariah came to believe God’s promises. When both did, they were healed, physically and spiritually. (Luke 1:64).

Second, God desires to “fill the hungry with good things.” Whether a person is physically or spiritually hungry, God’s heart is to fill them. Your support of this ministry helps fill people physically (through three daily hot meals, family food boxes, and special events like our Christmas Banquet) and spiritually (through chapel services, biblical education, bible study, and connection to solid Christian churches).

Thank you for supporting this ministry. I see first-hand how God uses your support to “fill the hungry with good things” and bring those who initially miss the message, like Zachariah and Maria, to Himself. It is a blessing to see God use your gifts to accomplish His purposes.

Merry Christmas,

Chris D. Croswhite

Executive Director