The gifts that touch us most deeply are often unexpected. For instance, I was walking to my office at our church this brisk morning. The coldness of the air granted a hush that settled over me to reflect on our past week. All of our family was in to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was a time of remembrance for some; for others, it was a time to rekindle relationships and catch up on each other's lives. It had several unexpected moments, both challenging and beautiful. Our annual event is the game night at our house on Thanksgiving Eve, which is full of family, games, great eats, and music. We love this time at our house. My grandson and granddaughter were present. They alone are an amazing gift to us. That evening, I played "Sweet Caroline" as we gathered around the game table, and of course, we all chimed in. I was captured. My grandson loved the song and chimed in as best as he could, but the gift after the third time playing it was him throwing his head back, laughing hard, watching everyone take part. It brought forth a deep smile from my heart as I walked to the office this morning—a Gift.
There were many other gifts this past week as well. This past year, we lost my step-mom, Jean. She was a gift to me and our family in so many ways. She was an exquisite painter. When she wasn't eating, she seemed to be painting portraits, landscapes, and still art. As a family, we were given the gift of choosing our favorite paintings—treasures for each of us. There were so many of us, and there were so many choices. Jeanne and I received our desired favorites. Jeanne said, "Our wall surrounds us with her love." She will not be forgotten in our home—a Gift.
Another obscure gift was thought about as I walked by a house displaying the manger scene—a baby. I paused in thought; a baby is insignificant in this world's grandeur for some. A baby depends on its needs to be cared for; it has nothing to contribute to the world as we know it, yet this season's whole meaning is focused on a baby. This baby is born to a carpenter and a teenage mother in a stable in an obscure town. Lights, bells, music, decorated trees, and wrapped gifts fill our thoughts, and the most significant baby in the universe draws no attention to Himself. Yet, He is the most profound joy of our lives. He is the most incredible peace we can ever possess. He is obscure under all the noise. He is the greatest gift to all, yet He is not found in a store or on our shopping list; instead, he is settled in the hearts of those who believe and will believe in His entrance and purpose into this world—a gift.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
May the lights, bells, music, decorated trees, and gifts fade into the background this Christmas season, and let us embrace the love of God, given to us through the birth of Christ, The most significant gift for each of our lives each day.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Merry Christmas from our home to yours.
Peace, my friends, Rob
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