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