Ken Medema's Christmas Gift

Many know the incredible talent of singer and songwriter Ken Medema. For many years he has contributed to our worship services through his many choral and solo works, and he has blessed us through the sharing of his musical gifts as a touring performer and recording artist. I am privileged to count Ken as a colleague and friend and take delight in recommending his services whenever possible.

This year I received a Christmas card from Ken. I'm sure he sends out many cards annually. This card, however, was different. It contained a gift. Attached to the top inside of the card was a crisp, new $10 bill. It was part of a monetary gift given to Ken to be used in his ministry as he saw fit. Resisting his first impulse to use the gift to pay bills, Ken chose to use the gift in another way. His new album, Sea Change, encourages us to engage in a new way of seeing and acting in our world and our community, and Ken's turnaround gift in his Christmas card does that. He encourages the recipient to use the $10 to "make a change by giving it to a charity, paying a toll for the car behind you and watching the reaction in your rearview mirror, or buying 24 stamps to send notes of cheer or thanks." He also gives permission to spend the $10 on yourself for a movie or a cup of coffee -- something to "renew yourself, take a breath, and be reminded that you are amazing and deserving."

What a wonderful act Ken's gift performs! Not only does it result in good deeds of ministry and generosity, but it also places a responsibility on the recipient to become further engaged in his or her own ministry and generosity. I had Ken's $10 bill in my wallet when I stopped at the grocery store on my way to work this morning. In the checkout lane next to mine was an older couple who spoke in a thick east European accent of some kind. They did not have enough money to pay for their purchases, which appeared to me to be all staples -- no frills or extras. They were having to decide which of their purchases to send back to the shelves. I gave Ken's $10 to my own checker and asked her to give it anonymously to the young woman checking out the older couple. It covered their deficit and allowed them to keep a few dollars in their pocket. They were gratefully confused as I watched them head for the door.

I'm well aware that my act of generosity was not really mine; it was Ken's. But as a result of Ken's gift to the old couple, he has encouraged me to make my own gift that I know will contribute to the Sea Change accomplished through the work and ministry of UMCOR and Heifer International, both of which will receive donations this Christmas in honor of Ken Medema.

I hope that you will include your own Sea Change Christmas gift this year in the midst of all of the shopping, wrapping, giving, and receiving that you do. Find a home for the homeless, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, a food bank, a Salvation Army bell ringer, or a hospice agency to give to. When was the last time you left a $25 tip to a lower-than-minimum-wage waitress?

Merry Christmas, Ken!