But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt 6:3-4)
I know that this is a bit out of character for my daily devotional, but the song and the story so moved me, that I felt it was worth sharing. This Christmas Season, remember the "Reason for the Season" - the birth of our Savior - who came to earth to give us a gift - eternal life through his death and resurrection. As many of you know, last year I was touched by another one of Matthew West's songs - "Give this Christmas Away" and joined in Operation Christmas Child (sponsors through Samaritan's Purse) and collected 54 boxes for children who would not have had a Christmas. This year, once again, Matthew's devotion to God has poured through in this song, thus giving way to my support of this project.
God has a plan for each of us ~ a child can touch your heart long after he leaves this world to be with the Father in heaven. It's the season of giving...
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This is the video and my new Christmas song - "One Last Christmas." This song is inspired by the true story of the Locke family and their son Dax.
At just thirteen months old, little Dax was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He was given two bone marrow transplants as a part of emergency treatment; one from each of his parents. The doctors then told his parents that Dax would most likely not make it to see Christmas.
This song is about the love of a family, and the coming together of an entire community to make sure that this little boy could have one last Christmas. His dad, determined that his son would see Christmas, put up the decorations early. The neighborhood caught on, and did the same. The whole town soon followed suit. A website was built telling his story. Soon, pictures were sent from all over the world of Christmas decorations that had been put up in his honor.
Dax did lose his battle with Leukemia, but not before he got to see one last Christmas. Today, this little boy's legacy lives on, and his parents are making sure it does. They were so touched by the care they received from St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, that they now have a desire to raise enough money to run the entire hospital for one day in honor of their son, Dax. The total cost to run St. Jude's for one day is $1.6 million dollars. Already, they have raised a quarter of a million dollars.
This Christmas, it is on my heart to join forces with the Locke family, and help them in their cause. I would like to encourage you to join us in raising money that will go to an amazing cause in St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital that cares for so many children each year.
To donate now to St. Jude's in memory of Dax please visit:http://tiny.cc/m1mdo
To read more of Dax's story visit:http://www.daxlocke.com/orhttp://www.matthewwest.com
Together, we can reach this goal -- and fund St. Jude's for an entire day in Dax Locke's memory!
-Matthew West
