“Every good and perfect gift is from above” James 1:17
How are you doing with your Christmas shopping? I am about half done. With a family as large as ours, the shopping (wish) list is quite long. And when Christmas day arrives, after we have eaten, sung carols and focused on the real meaning of Christmas, we open gifts – and I sit there hoping I haven’t forgotten someone.
When I was 14 years old, my parents told us we wouldn’t be getting Christmas gifts that year. We would be getting the usual plate of nuts, candies and mandarin oranges, but no gifts. There were too many of us. Money was very scarce. I accepted that. Some years are like that.
However, on Christmas morning, to our surprise, there was a gift for each of us after all. I don’t recall the gifts my brothers and sisters received, but mine was a beautiful blue taffeta dress. It fit me perfectly. I loved the color and the style. It was so special because I wasn’t expecting it. My dad had to sell some of his milk quota (we lived on a dairy farm) so they could buy us gifts. Sacrifice.
Of all the wonderful gifts I have received during the years, the blue taffeta dress stands out in my memory. It was an unexpected surprise.
I was thinking about that this week and thought I would like to surprise someone, too. I asked the Lord to bring to mind someone who wouldn’t be expecting a gift from me – someone who wasn’t on my list. I am going to buy her a real nice gift and surprise her.
Pray about it. Maybe God would put the same idea in your heart. You don’t have to buy something – you could give your time.
Father, we are aware that every generous thought comes from You. Any thought of giving comes from You. You loved us so much that You gave Your Son. Thank You! Amen
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