Christmas

My Dearest Grandchildren,

It is Christmas once again and I wonder what you must be thinking. Three of you are certainly cognizant of the world around you and the little one will learn in due time, maybe by your example.

So, do you think that it’s all about the birth of a baby 100s of years ago? I know you have been taught about Jesus, but I am wondering if you know why His birthday is so special.

For sure a lot of people don’t seem to care much, or if they do, it is secondary, right? First, comes buying the presents. And even though it is Jesus’ birthday, the presents are not for Him. Oddly, the presents are to everyone else. That must be more than a little confusing.

OK, so if we treated it like any other birthday, what kind of presents would you bring to the party for the birthday boy? I bet each of you would have some really great ideas. He would be no different from you on your birthday, hoping to receive gifts on His list.

I can hear you now, “But, Memaw, we don’t know what He likes.”

It would be helpful, first off, to picture Him, not as a baby that never gets any older, at least not until Easter. He has thoughts and feelings, friends and family, and wishes for things just like you and even old Memaw.

He probably would like to spend time with His friends and family, have a tasty and filling meal, get some toys to play with and later some tools to help Him do His work.

I imagine He would want to be warm if it is cold and cool if it is hot, not have to sleep outside in bad weather, medicine if He were sick and the joy of living in a world where justice prevails and violence has lost its grip.
Again, I see the puzzled looks upon your faces, “How do we give Him that stuff; He isn’t really here? If I get presents, isn’t that the same?”

Not exactly, we must remember that it is still His birthday and the presents need to fulfill His wish list.

Perhaps, you are thinking that He was a carpenter, and maybe He would like a new battery-operated drill. You are on the right track, but maybe what He would like even more is for you to help your sister build that fort in the back yard or offer to lend a hand to fix your neighbor’s leaky roof.

Do not worry about the cost; you possess far more wealth than you can imagine.

So, put on your thinking caps and figure out the kinds of presents that will bring warmth, love, health, productivity, laughter and most importantly, peace.

These are the gifts He has requested and we can give them in His name to our own friends and family and maybe even a few to those we haven’t met yet.

Merry Christmas, to you all!