Skip to main content

Presents or Presence?





I know what my kids are trying to do.  They’re instructing their children that Christmas is about someone not something.  And it’s working.

The request to us as grandparents this year was “just a few presents to place under the tree for the kids.”  I really tried hard to oblige them.  I really tried.  But then I spotted a “Fancy Nancy” storybook that I wanted to read with our six year old granddaughter!  And the games, kids love games!  Their parents should only know about the stuff I passed up! 

It worked out great and our Christmas visit with the kids makes me smile every time I think of it.  We decorated a birthday cake together and sang to Jesus.  Before Sookie blew out the candle she whispered her wish in my ear “I wish we can make a cake like this every day and all be together.”  Presents followed and as she opened each one carefully, she jumped into our laps and gave us a thank-you hug.  Each one!

I would say the lesson is being learned here.  It's about giving!  Christmas is about the Son of God leaving His heavenly home and coming down to earth as a baby only to grow up and accept Father God’s plan of redemption by dying for us a brutal death so we can be saved, delivered and free! 

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.  Luke 2:52 (NLT)

What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position "a little lower than the angels"; and because he suffered death for us, he is now "crowned with glory and honor." Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.  Hebrews 2:9 (NLT)

Merry Christmas!  Jesus is the reason we celebrate!

Comments

  1. Yes, the best gifts are all about giving! And the best gift of all is Jesus, who gave everything for us!

    Mary, I wish you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. May your home be filled with His love, joy, peace, and hope!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It truly is about giving. Thanks for the reminder. Merry Christmas to you and your whole clan. God bless.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Because He Lives, I Can Move

I’m currently in one of those places where you lay out all the options and then you make the best decision. It seems, however, like none of the choices are fair or attractive. I know God will help me in my situation because I desire His guidance. I’m clinging to His Word which promises that ALL things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28. I heard a great teaching this week about seeking God’s will and all the freedom that surrender brings. We can know that God is bringing about a victory if we trust Him with each and every decision. The speaker illustrated his point with a famous painting. The painting depicts a look of despair on the chess player’s face. He’s playing Satan and his soul is at stake. It looks like Satan is winning. Checkmate! When Paul Morphy saw this painting back in the 1800’s, he set up a chess board and aligned the pieces to reflect the painting. Being a world champion, he studied the board. His conclusi

Humor for the Bride and Groom

A young couple decided to wed.  As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive.  Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice.   "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage."  His father replied, "Don't you love this girl?"   "Oh yes, very much," he said," but you see, I have very smelly feet, and I'm afraid that my fiancé will be put off by them."  "No problem," said dad, "all you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible, and always wear socks, even to bed."   Well, to him this seemed a workable solution. The bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to take her problem up with her mom."  Mom," she said, "When I wake up in the morning my breath is truly awful."  "Honey," her mother consoled, "everyone has

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street?”   I replied that I’ve order coffee once in that place with a turke