Can you recall that moment when early in the morning you crept around the corner and, there before your eyes was an amazing sight, one you did not expect. Oh, yes, you knew the tree would be there, but, in your child’s mind, you simply could not process all the gifts beneath the tree.
I can recall that moment. I knew the tree was there. After all I had help decorate it. I had helped string colored popcorn into garlands, and craft paper strips into chains, and these constituted some of the tree decorations. I can still hear my older sister scold me, repeatedly, “don’t just throw tinsel at the tree, hang each on a limb”. But I was this little child and I wanted to get the decorating done and get on to the fun part.
And that morning, coming down the stairs, peeking around the corner, and there, to my surprise, the tree was there, but so much had changed! Oh, pretty packages all around the tree, and the little train on a circle of tracks and much, much more. Far too much for my eyes to take in or my mind to process.
Christmas morning, and God’s gift to us…the Christ Child. Too much for the eyes of the shepherds or the Wise Men to take in. Even today, it is too much for us to fully understand or comprehend, or even imagine how that gift touches our lives in so many ways.
Today, we hear much about how Christmas is too commercial. How we have turned this glorious celebration of God’s gift of Himself to us, into something cheap, something without substance, something without meaning. But, wait. What did I just say? “God’s gift of Himself to us”! Let me think about that.
If we could see through God’s eyes, what would we see at Christmas Time? A celebration? Gifts of love to others? Fellowship? Worship? Children’s excitement? Singing? Decorations everywhere? Reunions? And so it goes. I can only imagine God smiling down at all we do in response to His gift!
What do you see? What do you think? Are you worried about the bills? Do you spend too much time trying to balance equal gifts to the kids, grandkids? Are you worried about the party, what to serve, who to serve? Or, perhaps, your worries go deeper. Perhaps you are alone and this is the first Christmas without your loved one. Perhaps depression is stealing the wonder of this season. Perhaps your tears blur the beauty of the lights and decorations all around you.
What else gets blurred in the depths of depression, or loss, or missing? The Road to Bethlehem seems so remote, so impossible to find, when you are all alone. But look around you. Look up, find the Star. Reach out, travel the road to Bethlehem, seek Him, in the Church, with the carolers, and visit strangers in the hospital, share stories of loved ones, now gone. Use the Gift. Be the Gift. Share the Gift.
Remember that little boy, and his wonder at the over-decorated tree, and overloaded gifted skirt. Recall the feeling of excitement, not just for yourself, but for others, all those going through those moments for the first time. And Rejoice, for that is part of the Gift!
For What It’s Worth.
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