The Gift Is Never Too Late

The last trip to the store and just a couple of gifts to wrap. I’m thinking, almost done and still smiling and thinking; “I can’t wait to see their face.” I’m not looking for a reaction that mirrors those on that electronics store commercial. Probably because I can’t afford the cost of those reactional gifts. I just want to be there to see their face and the sparkle in their eyes.
A long time ago in a time far far away, there was a young boy so excited about Christmas morning and that one and only gift he wanted that year. All through November and December he irritated mom every time it was shown on tv. To him, there could be nothing better then this toy on Christmas morning. The excitement of Christmas prevented sleep that Christmas Eve. At least for a while. Bantering back and forth between himself and his brother lying on the lower bunk lasted for a long time. Then, finally, the excitement gave way to exhaustion and sleep was not too far behind.
Christmas morning broke early, especially for two parents who had only been able to sleep a few hours before the boys bounded out of bed. The boys had that sparkle in their eyes when they saw the tree for the first time. The excitement was building with each carefully wrapped package. And one after another, they were placed aside waiting and waiting for that special gift. It had to be the next one, or the next one. As the boy opened the last gift for him, he realized there was no ultimate gift and the sparkle faded. Oh, the gifts were great but. But?
It would be years later when he heard the story of the struggles of life experienced that year. When the parents finally had the money to buy that one special gift only to be met with the realization that all the stores were sold out.
The boy never forgot that Christmas or the truth of what happened. There would be other Christmases. Other gifts. Other years where the love of parents and children would warm the heart and be seen in the eyes of the one opening the gift given with love.
One December just after the mother had passed away, the son was helping an elderly couple close up their home and move them into a retirement building. So many things to dispose of. It was easy for them to agreed to give it away. They were excited about this new adventure of life. Almost everything was gone now, well, almost everything. In the basement of the home the couple had swept everything they figured was of no value into a pile in the middle of the floor. It couldn’t be. But it was! There it was, sitting right on top. Looking brand new was the gift that had never come. A box of Mini Bricks.
The sparkle came back. Arriving home that evening and doing the dance as we see on that commercial, I sat at the kitchen table and built my first house from Kit #1.
Another time in another place, a young mother, with a sparkle in her eyes, looked down on God’s gift, not just to her, but to all humankind. The gift of Jesus Christ is the only gift we need. Allow a sparkle to come to your eyes this Christmas as you look into the face of the most amazing gift the world has ever received. ~ And if you want, ~ do the dance as well.
Merry Christmas to each and everyone and may your New Year be filled with dreams come true.
Rob

Silent Night

It was indeed a silent night. For me, it was an early day just like most other Sundays. With only one eye open I checked the red illuminated numbers beaming out of the small box on the night table. Yup, it’s early. Too early even for me. So I rolled over and lay there. Like most mornings my mind started thinking, too quickly, too many things too early. Or should I say too late in the night? Doesn’t matter, there I lay until I couldn’t take it any longer. As I felt the bite of the cold 130 year old boards beneath my feet, I knew it was the point of no return. Up and at em. It’s time. The early hour attributed two wonderful things. One was a quiet time that matches no other and the second, the realization I need not rush. Gingerly making my way down those unmistakable creaking stairs, trying not to wake sleeping beauty, I found myself looking out our double front door windows. All was calm. Not a person in sight, not a beam of some cars headlights, not even our neighbourhood skunk. There was no breeze, no snow, no anything to remind us it’s winter and it’s cold out there. Realizing how wonderful it was, I thanked God and started my day. A long time ago in another life I learned from parishioners in Sask. that we don’t need the radio on to have company. Sunday morning was one of those mornings. As in Saskatchewan, I turned on the weather channel only long enough to know how today would be. Nice. It didn’t take long for me to settle with the monitor in front of me and to catch up on the email that had invaded my computer over night. Nothing of importance and Turn off Computer was the last I read. Now I had time to think about all that God had told me during the week. It would be a good day. God was there and that is all that I needed. As with everyone else, the early morning had vanished and we were on our way to church. The drive had it’s moments with weather but nothing to input in a journal or anything like that. Advent was definitely in the air and in the decorations and order of worship. Just as quickly as we came, it was time to go. Onward, outward and forward into the rest of our day. Do you try to squeeze in an opportunity to close their eyes each Sunday. It was for us as well. Not long for me, just 15 minutes to recharge and move into a normal routine. It was turning into a great day. Had one of those lately? Or are you too stressed about . . . well, you know. Our day moved on with dinner, and dishes and put everything away. Christmas specials to watch and visit with an old friend. And that was it. Or so I thought. While turning out all the Christmas lights I found myself again looking out of our front window. All was calm. I tarried longer that night. Just stood there enjoying a moment with God. Oh He was there. In those brief moments, I saw in my minds eye those glorious wonderful moments what must have happened so long ago, so far away. I also saw that God gave us, not a gift we hold in our hands but Himself. A real live person. Maybe that is what we are to give each other? Ascending the stairs, they creaked under foot just the same as when I descended them so many hours before. It wasn’t long before I was settled in bed, being warmed by the comforter and the realization, that God was saying to me and to us all. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Something to think about. Rob

Nothing to Worry About

I don’t know if she was just humouring me or what, but it sounded nice. The bank teller couldn’t believe I was 60. No joke. She thought I was much younger and I appreciated the compliment. But I still think she was lying to me. Then she asked how I did it. How I did what? How do you stay so young looking?
I told her I put three Nivea creams on my face each morning and the two at night. I did say that but then I told her I was kidding. What I did tell her was, I don’t worry about much of anything and have not for a long time. After a brief moment she said, maybe that is what works for her because her husband worries about everything and she lets him worry for the two of them. I wanted to ask how old he looks but thought better of it.
It’s a well-known fact, people greatest fear is worrying about most everything. They worry about the economy, about the kids, about the roof, about getting the right present for the right person and did they wrapping it right and putting on the right persons name tag . . . It goes on and on. I even knew of someone who told me they worry about worrying too much. Oh well. Maybe they could join with all the last-minute shoppers who worry about not enough time to shop for Christmas. Just kidding, don’t send me emails.
So what changed for me? I guess it came when I realized God stays up all night and worries for me while I sleep. You see, most of what we worry about is beyond our pay scale. Most of us know the line that we should change what we can change and forget about the things we can’t change. I think that means, 95% of what we worry about is not worth worrying about. So, I worry about the small stuff. Are my socks coordinated today, will I have time to get to church on time, (read that, one hour before the service starts), or, is my bible in the car that is in my briefcase and is my sermon notes in the bible? Not that I use them much?
As the shepherds were sitting around the campfire wondering how long it would be until dawn, an angel appeared and they fell on their faces terrified. I read recently that the fear they experienced may have been the fear of being in the presence of someone who stood in the presence of God. Maybe that’s true.
We are approaching the most amazing night of the year. To the shepherds, it was just another night until . . . Our Christmas Eve includes the words of the angel. Let them calm our heart as the concerns of life close in around us. Sit quietly and hear God speak to your heart those same wonderful words. “Do not be afraid.”
Something to think about
Rob