OK, so there you are, tying up the black garbage bag filled to the top with Christmas paper, bows and cards. Only one hour ago, your family was huddled around the Christmas tree hurriedly identifying whose gift was whose, passing out to each other the holiday prizes. Didn’t take long to open all the presents, ooh-ing and ah-ing over each gift. Now the room is quiet and you have stuffed the paper into the garbage bag and can see the carpet once more. It’s the same each year. Thirty days before Christmas you get in a huff to buy whatever the television tells you would be good for your kids and spouse. You wait for pay day and rush out and get that prize that will show each of them how much you love them. You hide it in the trunk of your car or under the bed until you can find the time alone to wrap it. It’s fun. It shows you care. It is now over!!!Drop that garbage bag, sit down and stare deep into the boughs of the Christmas tree. Look harder! There, see it? One more gift, how did you miss it? If you can’t see it look until you do. It’s there, the best gift of all. Almost forgotten. The gift that will last a lifetime.No special wrapping or brightly colored bow. There is not note or card attached. But it is there and it is beautiful. There beneath the branches of your Christmas tree is a gift from God. It is better than anything else and best of all it was given to you free. To some of you it is a child, full of giggles and bouncy energy. For others it is a warm home with dinner simmering on the stove. Still for others it is the warm hug from a friend or loved one. But for all of us it is special and can not be matched in any department store window or TV commercial. God knows what we need; God provides.God’s gifts to us are lasting. They provide for us day in and day out without end. They come in small packages and in large packages. They are miracles that touch our hearts and convince us that life is actually worth living. They are the proud feeling you get when you see a struggling child finally get it. God’s gifts help us become better people. God’s gifts help us recognize someone who is hurting and allows us the privilege of being there for a friend. God’s gifts don’t wear out or break. They don’t go out of style or get empty. God’s gifts last a lifetime. And best of all, no Christmas paper to throw away and all that is required of you is a gentle thank-you.
