Editor’s note: This holiday season, we want to begin the countdown to Christmas by discussing the biblical truths found in our favorite Christmas carols and the connection these truths have to our work. This is the final post in this series; past posts covered the “Little Drummer Boy” and “Joy to the World.” This week’s feature is a meditation on “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and how God uses our work to bless others. We won’t be publishing tomorrow in honor of the holiday. Merry Christmas to you and your family! 

“What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?”

I have been asked this question for as long as I can remember. My answer has changed over the last sixty years. I say I don’t really need anything these days, but that is not really true.

You see, something else has changed since the first time I was asked this question. I see God, not Santa, as the one who gives the good gifts we really need.

The Gift of Making All Things New

James 1:17 reminds us:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

We need God’s blessing every day, not just at Christmas. This season we rejoice in receiving the ultimate gift, the real gift that keeps on giving:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Shalom. (Isa. 9:6)

Jesus came to make all things new and restore creation to the way it was supposed to be. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate gift to those who have tasted his grace.

It is those he has blessed that he now calls to be a blessing. Paul writes in II Corinthians that God blesses us so we will have everything we need to do the work he has called us to, work which in turn blesses others.

God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. (2 Cor. 9:8)

Our work blesses others. The work of the watchman in “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is a great illustration of this truth.

“Go Tell It on the Mountain”: Telling the Truth about Our Work

I love the last stanza of the song “Go Tell it on the Mountain.” It starts with the line, “He made me a watchman upon the city wall.” The work of the watchman blesses others in a big way.

A watchman does more than keep watch. He warns the city against danger so it continues to flourish. That warning is broadcast from the mountaintop as a call to others to fight to protect the city.

A great scene in Lord or the Rings: Return of the King epitomizes this role of the watchman. When Gandalf and Pippin ride to the city of Minas Tirith, in the kingdom of Gondor, they find it under siege and its leader unwilling to send for help.

Pippin evades the guards and lights a beacon just above the city. After it is lit, other beacons are lit one by one until the last one is sighted by Aragorn in the city of Edoras, a three-day horse ride from Minas Tirith. The sighting of the warning fires is what finally persuades Gondor’s allies to ride and join the fight against the coming darkness.

Join Us in Serving as Watchmen on the Wall

What does all this have to do with what I want for Christmas? I want the Institute for Faith, Work and Economics to continue serving God’s people as a “watchman on the wall.”

I want IFWE to light the warning fires, spurring evangelical Christians across this country and around the world to seize the opportunity to further God’s kingdom through their work. We estimate that less than 10 percent of evangelical Christians have heard the transformational message of the biblical doctrine of work.

IFWE is committed to advancing biblical and economic principles that help individuals find fulfillment in all the work they do in their homes, communities, churches, and vocations, all of which contributes to a free and flourishing society. In the last year, our small organization has reached over two million believers with this message. We have much to do and the time is short.

If you have been blessed by IFWE’s work, will you help us communicate this life-changing message?

First, please pray for us, that the Lord would continue to bless us in our work and make it possible to reach more people with our message.

Second, help us spread the message that all of our work matters to God. Forward our blog or Facebook posts to friends with whom our message might resonate. Tell people in your church about our website. Anything you can do to help us reach more people is a great blessing.

Finally, would you prayerfully consider a year-end gift to help us continue and expand this unique ministry? We are so grateful for whatever you can do!

We need your help to light the signal fires and call more believers to join the fight to push back the darkness, “for you are all children of light.” (1 Thess. 5:5)

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

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