Belonging - Warmth and Cold

Well, we’ve made it to Christmastime, and for many, that means the glow of twinkling lights, the smell of freshly baked cookies, and the sound of tunes harmonizing on street corners. Families gather around tables filled with food, laughter spills into living rooms, and the soft crackle of a fireplace invites everyone to get a little closer.

For our homeless neighbors, the holiday experience couldn’t be more different. The warmth of the holidays often feels distant, like a story unfolding behind windows they can only look through. Instead of fireplaces, they endure the chill of winter nights. Instead of laughter, there’s silence and isolation. And instead of stockings filled with surprises, there are shoes filled with holes and hands stiff with cold. It’s tough to be happy when that’s your reality.

But this week, as we reflect on the Advent theme of joy, we’re reminded that biblical joy is not the same as happiness. Emotions like happiness are fleeting— they’re here one moment and gone the next. But joy, true joy, is something deeper. It’s the unshakable choice to trust in Jesus and find hope in Him, no matter the circumstances. Joy doesn’t depend on warm fireplaces, holiday meals, or even life going the way we want. Instead, it flows from knowing the unchanging truth of God’s love for us.

We hold tightly to this kind of joy, and we aim to reflect it to our neighbors. The holidays can magnify the pain of loss, the ache of loneliness, and the chill of a world that often overlooks them. But through simple acts of kindness—a warm blanket, a pair of gloves, or even a smile or a conversation—we can remind our neighbors of the joy found in Jesus: a joy that says, "You are not forgotten. You belong."

Jesus wasn’t born in a palace but in a manger, choosing humility to draw near to the weary. He came to bring light to darkness and joy to brokenness—a joy that cannot be shaken, even in the hardest seasons.

This week, we invite you to help us share that joy.

We’re accepting donations of blankets, socks, gloves, beanies, and gift cards—simple items that make a huge difference for our neighbors in need.

These acts of generosity aren’t just about meeting physical needs—they’re about creating moments of connection and belonging, showing others the deep and enduring joy that comes from knowing Christ.

If you’d like to donate, please email Javvy Toyos at jtoyos@kcbellflower.org or call the KCB office during business hours at 562-804-2189.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s reflect on the joy He offers—a joy that is steady in every storm and brighter than the darkest night. Together, we can be His hands and feet, bringing not only warmth but the hope and joy of belonging to those who need it, and even those who feel they don’t.