Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. James 1:17 NKJV
One Christmas morning from my childhood sticks out in my memory. My father was so excited about the gift that Santa had left for my three year old brother, Dick. My parents directed Dick’s attention to a large decorated box. They gave him instructions to tear off the ribbon and paper. But he was content to sit, suck his thumb, hold his blankie and admire the box. He looked at them as if to say, “Why destroy the pretty box?”
Dick got in the swing of things and started tearing paper, a fun game, although he couldn’t tear paper any other time. Paper flew this way and that, and now and then Mom or Dad would coax off a stubborn piece. Finally, a peddle car was exposed. Dad lifted the car and placed it in the middle of the room. Dick’s face glowed with delight as he pulled over the box, grabbed his blanket and crawled inside. He was content.
“The car is your gift, Dick. Come sit in your new car.” Dad picked Dick up to place him in the car. But Dick screamed and kicked, and finally Dad put him down and he ran back into the box, blankie in hand. Mom and Dad kept saying. “The car is your gift.” Dad was disappointed.
Today, as I look around at all the Christmas decorations, at all the elaborate spending, I want to shout, “People, Jesus is your Gift.” You won’t be disappointed. In Him you have peace, security and love.
Dear Lord, forgive us for our misguided loyalities. Ignite our hearts that Jesus is the Gift. Amen.
© 2011 Lois Gosley
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1 comment:
So true! Kids often like the box better than the gift!! And many of us forget the gift of our Lord as we are wrapped up in this world.
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