LIVING GIFTS
It’s here again… “the most wonderful time of the year!” Or so the song says. Presently, I’m not focused on the gift-giving tradition of Christmas. Considering the life-altering changes in the past 12 months…death & separation in close relationships, the sorrow of consequences brought forward by previously unknown actions, & the ensuing spiritual battling in my soul…all leave gift-giving “pale” in comparison to what really matters. It’s simple really. I’m more focused on knowing & valuing people. If I haven’t connected somehow on a deeper level, if I haven’t shared “straight from the heart” conversations, if there’s no true soul connection… but unforgiveness leading to bitterness instead…well, exchanging gifts can be rote & obligatory. Without love, gifts can be a thoughtless habit…a box checked…a pseudo guilt release…or a substitute for meaningful communication. I believe this happens more frequently than we want to admit.
It’s easy for anyone to see that money takes an even greater step up, to front & center stage, especially during the months of November & December. In our culture, we generally use money as a barometer to measure status. Sad but true. We label folks, relegating them to an upper, middle, lower, or poverty class. We draw private conclusions & assumptions about someone, based on the house they live in, the car they drive, or sometimes by the jewelry & clothes that they wear. We easily forget to not judge a book by its cover. In theory, we say money doesn’t matter. But practically, I dare say that money is a predominant topic in most conversations, in one way or another. Folks are either trying to find ways to budget & stretch the money they have, or they’re intent on investing any excesses for future security.
In all the world, there is only ONE FOREVER GIFT. It can’t be bought or sold because it’s truly priceless. You can’t save for it. Nor can you charge it on a credit card & pay it off in monthly installments. In fact, all the money in the world can’t buy it! It meets, & exceeds, every soul need, or desire, known to man. It has a beginning, but it knows no end. And it’s FREE, without a pre-qualifying application to receive the benefits. The GIVER shows no partiality. Though every person is born naturally fallible, redemption in Christ Jesus is God’s gift – a loving, justifying act of His grace… to all who have sinned & fall short of His standard for acceptance. That all would be all of us. (Romans 3:23&24) This Provision is the only gift that moths and rust can’t destroy & where thieves can’t break in & steal it. (Matthew 6:20)
Years ago, we revised our traditional decorating schedule & had everything completed by Thanksgiving. It is an amazing feeling! It makes entry into the holiday season less stressful & we can enjoy the fruits of our labor a little longer. Since moving to our present home 12 years ago, we gradually created a Christ-as-life centered light display, one that the community has come to expect. Folks often stop & make encouraging comments while we are working. So that has kept our momentum going & inspires us to use decorating as a ministry opportunity.
Included in our display is the “12 days of Christmas” tree, a tradition inspired by our daughter 4 years ago. From December 13- 24, 12 individually wrapped gifts are put in a large tote each evening, at midnight, next to our small blue spruce tree. The next morning, it’s a “first come, first serve” affair with calendars, bookmarks, & candy canes always available for everyone. We offer small cards, pens & a “mailbox” to leave prayer requests. One of my most endearing memories of this part of our display is when a dad stopped, on Christmas morning, to ask if we had any gifts left. He was unable to buy his daughter a gift. There was 1 wrapped package left! God’s timing was perfect. It reminded me that heart motivation is what makes a gift special.
I’ve had ample years to ponder the history of our decorations, both inside & out. It’s the heart connections & the relationships surrounding the ornaments and traditions that mean the most to me. First & foremost, nothing would mean anything, without embracing the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ as my Life. Secondly, although our family is changing & growing older, I appreciate the foundation that our traditions have built, especially when intimacy is harder to maintain because of time & distance. I ponder, a lot, around the holidays & I am very sentimental. I enjoy the “repeats” of favorite Christmas movies, decorated sugar cookies, & rides to look at lights with a hot drink in hand. Our tree ornaments tell stories & prompt memories at one glance. I can picture times & places in my mind. My soul is touched & sometimes I cry.
But I’m thankful! In the long run, I’d rather have intimate, lasting memories-- for life, than to receive a gift because someone felt like Christmas demanded it. After all, it is the way of the Father, to create the desire, in us, for intimacy with Him. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15)
Abigail’s Song © | Stephen Phinney | Vocalist Elijah Musika:
Visit the iZ Music Channel, hosting both songs and instrumentals HERE.
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