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Others – This Christmas!


As I reflect on what to share that will be a great blessing to you this season of Christmas, I could think of no other message than to encourage you to let this Christmas be a time of loving and sharing with OTHERS. Most often we tend to share with only family and friends, but I encourage you this season to step out of that circle to be a greater blessing to OTHERS who are not necessarily family or friends. I leave you with this short piece which you may have read before and I pray that this will be your best Christmas season ever.

It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army in London, England was near the end of his life. His health was poor, and he was going to be unable to attend the Army’s annual convention. Booth had become an invalid, and his eyesight was failing him. No one knew that he would not live to see another Christmas.

Somebody suggested that General Booth send a telegram or a message to be read at the opening of the convention as an encouragement to the many soldiers of the Salvation Army that would be in attendance following Christmas and their many hours of labor ministering to so many others through the holidays and the cold winter months. Booth agreed to do so.

Knowing that funds were limited and desiring not to use any more money than necessary so that as much money as possible could be used to help the many people in need, General Booth decided to send a one word message. He searched his mind and reviewed his years of ministry, looking for the one word that would summarize his life, the mission of the Army and encourage the others to continue on.

When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that Booth would not be able to be present because of failing health and eyesight. Gloom and pessimism swept across the floor of the convention. Then, the moderator announced that Booth had sent a message to be read with the opening of the first session. He opened the telegram and read the one word message:

OTHERS!

Signed, General Booth.

 “The extent of your influence depends on the depth of your concern for others.”

 “Others”


“Lord, let me live from day to day In such a self-forgetful way That even when I
kneel to pray My prayer shall be for others. Others, Lord, yes, others let this, my motto be: Lord, let me live for others That I may live like Thee.”


Merry Christmas!!!

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