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Open Hearts
By: CRM Staff
December 2021
Humbug
Ebenezer Scrooge, Dickens' cranky curmudgeon, glumly called Christmas a humbug and said it was "time for picking men's pockets." Scrooge's nephew Fred soundly rejected his uncle's conclusions, painting a very different picture of the holiday: "I have always thought of Christmas time…as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time…when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts."
A Time Like No Other
Fred was right. Christmas is a season like no other. It's a time to give, to receive, and to celebrate. People make time for shopping, cooking, decorating, and visiting. Sacred concerts, festive parades, and children's plays—complete with straw-filled mangers, glittering halos, and robe-clad shepherds—thrill our hearts.
It's a time when the witness of the Christ prevails. The familiar refrain "God and sinners reconciled" plays over the loudspeakers at our favorite shops, and nativity scenes dot yards along the streets of our neighborhoods. While many may have lost the holiday's true meaning, the world still pauses as Jesus, the Son of God, is unashamedly honored and celebrated. His extravagant generosity inspires us. His tender heart leads us to open our hearts to others.
A Season of Opportunity
We have learned that traumatic events can also have a "heart-opening" effect in our work with people in crisis. Crises become seasons of opportunity to be present with the grieving, to protect the abused, and to rescue the exploited.
By "bringing Christ to the crisis," we fulfill our mission to show His unfailing love by caring for those overwhelmed by loss and crushed by unbearable pain. In these seasons of turmoil, we speak about Jesus, the One who came "to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to captives, and…to set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy)." (Luke 4:18, Amplified Bible)
Jesus is called Immanuel, God with us. He came to us when we were lost. Committed to serving victims, CRM staff and volunteers go to those in crisis to give practical assistance and spiritual support. Time after time, we find hearts open not only to receive help but, most of all, to receive the eternal hope that only Christ can give.
Humbug
Ebenezer Scrooge, Dickens' cranky curmudgeon, glumly called Christmas a humbug and said it was "time for picking men's pockets." Scrooge's nephew Fred soundly rejected his uncle's conclusions, painting a very different picture of the holiday: "I have always thought of Christmas time…as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time…when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts."
A Time Like No Other
Fred was right. Christmas is a season like no other. It's a time to give, to receive, and to celebrate. People make time for shopping, cooking, decorating, and visiting. Sacred concerts, festive parades, and children's plays—complete with straw-filled mangers, glittering halos, and robe-clad shepherds—thrill our hearts.
It's a time when the witness of the Christ prevails. The familiar refrain "God and sinners reconciled" plays over the loudspeakers at our favorite shops, and nativity scenes dot yards along the streets of our neighborhoods. While many may have lost the holiday's true meaning, the world still pauses as Jesus, the Son of God, is unashamedly honored and celebrated. His extravagant generosity inspires us. His tender heart leads us to open our hearts to others.
A Season of Opportunity
We have learned that traumatic events can also have a "heart-opening" effect in our work with people in crisis. Crises become seasons of opportunity to be present with the grieving, to protect the abused, and to rescue the exploited.
By "bringing Christ to the crisis," we fulfill our mission to show His unfailing love by caring for those overwhelmed by loss and crushed by unbearable pain. In these seasons of turmoil, we speak about Jesus, the One who came "to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to captives, and…to set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy)." (Luke 4:18, Amplified Bible)
Jesus is called Immanuel, God with us. He came to us when we were lost. Committed to serving victims, CRM staff and volunteers go to those in crisis to give practical assistance and spiritual support. Time after time, we find hearts open not only to receive help but, most of all, to receive the eternal hope that only Christ can give.
PERSONAL NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Dear Friend,
As 2021 draws to a close, please consider including Crisis Response Ministry in your year-end charitable giving plan. Your generous donation will allow us to bring practical help, lasting friendship, and eternal hope to victims of crime, abuse, and neglect. Partnering together, we will see shattered lives restored and hurting hearts opened to receive God’s unfailing love.
Gratefully,
Jim McKee, Executive Director
Helping Victims
Helping Victims
Mailing Address
PO Box 131597
Tyler, TX 75713
Office Address
401 E. Front Street
Suite 138
Tyler, TX 75702
Useful Links
Crisis Response Ministry is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible within guidelines of U.S. law.
