’Tis the Season…
’Tis the season of so many things. Our decades of Christmases past hopefully bring joyful memories of traditions, gatherings, and an odd one or two celebrations that are incredibly unforgettable.
Nothing can replace gathering with family at Christmas – being with relatives of all ages and personalities, experiencing happy times and sad times – we have probably experienced it all through the years. Held dear in our hearts are the celebrations with immediate family – our sons, and now our sons and their beautiful families. And very recently, our week in Paris before Christmas, planned at the last minute when everything miraculously fell into place.
As I write this post, I’m thinking back over the years and would have to say, most of our Christmases have been a blessing. What a beautiful gift to have at this stage of life.
But I do have some odd one-offs. I have memories of a tearful last day before Christmas holiday in the 6th grade when my teacher, Mr. Gattis, introduced our class to of the theory of evolution. I came home with crocodile tears running down my face, asking my mom how that could possibly be true when I knew God created all things. Probably my saddest Christmas was with my family, before children, when we all gathered to say goodbye to my Dad who was dying of lung cancer. He was so ill, I remember Christmas Eve quietly entering our huge sanctuary from the side, sitting together as a family for my dad’s last service in the church he pastored, then sneaking out before anyone could try to greet us. Many hugs, many tears, much sadness, but still Christmas.
And then there was the most unusual Christmas holiday that we spent in Uganda. Circumstances didn’t allow us to head home, so we chose to celebrate on our own, despite the generous invitations of other missionaries in our town who had families and were happy to share the day with us. I think I’ll just post a second blog after this that describes the unique situation we experienced and will never forget.
But I’m really digressing on this post’s topic – “’tis the season to give.” No surprises there. But if you are like me, I struggle to think of something I want or even need at this point. I rarely know what to tell people to give me and after decades of giving for birthdays and holidays, I’m running out of ideas of what to give! Our sons and their families do a beautiful job still finding special treats for us – Bass Pro Shop cards for Bob, travel umbrellas and pajamas for me, digital frames for family pictures and more. All very much appreciated and treasured since they are from the heart.
So I’ve begun to make a list of what to give this year…the gifts you can’t wrap up, the gifts that don’t get put in a closet after they lose their fascination, the gifts you use until they’re gone – nothing wrong with any of those and they will be given this year, of course. BUT, and it’s a big but, God has gifts for us to give that have eternal value and they come in packages that aren’t tangible. There is nothing new in what I’m writing, but just a reminder to myself that I have presents to distribute that can impact a life, motivate and mobilize someone, inspire a friend, and point a person to the path of life with Jesus.
What God has poured into me, into you, is incredibly powerful when it is given away – the Holy Spirit in us equips us to give generously the very gifts that God has given to us. He intends for us to take the love he lavishes on us and lavish it on others. He intends for us to take the forgiveness he gives to us and forgive others. He intends for us to take the faith he builds into us and pass it on to others. He intends for us to take His peace that flows over us and let that same peace flow over othersI With God, the list of good gifts we can give to others is honestly endless. We only need to pray for His wisdom, His guidance in what the people in our lives need us to pass on as gifts this Christmas.
Praying for you to be inspired!
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