Ever arrive somewhere, and find a gift waiting for you? Has someone put something on your desk at work? Did your mom make your favorite desert without telling you? Exchanging presents is a big deal. In fact, it really is the basis for trade in general. While you may not be giving them a present in return, they are gifting you because of how important you are to them. I have never seen someone give a present in anger.
This year I paid extra-special attention to the whole process. I saw who was buying what, and when, and for whom. I saw how my daughter took home a king's ransom, partly because she is my parents' only grandchild. At the same time I saw how my wife really gained something from the whole process. Her days were just better when they were filled with finding things for her family.
My intention this year was pretty simple. I wanted to give my wife exactly what she wanted, but I also wanted to just load her up, because she wanted a Wii playset and I really bought every accessory I could afford. As we opened our presents tonight (due to a massive scheduling conflict that I won't bother you with) I saw how she was really happy about the "theme" that I used. I think maybe one or two of her presents were not for the Wii. Lesson learned.
My favorite presents were "Manning-related", because I love following the football players, who were friends of mine in grammar school. This year Kelly also gave me lots of Superman gifts, like the set of the movies, clothes, and decorations. In a way her gifts were also themed. There was a general thread that she was pointing to, telling me the whole time that I was HER Superman.
So how does this connect with God, and Jesus, and Christmas in general? Simple: it is all the same. The whole gift of Christ, and the season, and God's place in it all....it is a gift from God to us. He gave us this time to REALLY revel in all that is possible when we put our faith where it should be. When I speak to non-believers, one of the first things I point out is Christmas. It is the most powerful time of the year. Lives turn around at Christmas. Lost family members, and friends, return during Christmas. It is the start of all that is wonderful about life in this world. All because God gave us the best gift! Jesus!
This year I paid extra-special attention to the whole process. I saw who was buying what, and when, and for whom. I saw how my daughter took home a king's ransom, partly because she is my parents' only grandchild. At the same time I saw how my wife really gained something from the whole process. Her days were just better when they were filled with finding things for her family.
My intention this year was pretty simple. I wanted to give my wife exactly what she wanted, but I also wanted to just load her up, because she wanted a Wii playset and I really bought every accessory I could afford. As we opened our presents tonight (due to a massive scheduling conflict that I won't bother you with) I saw how she was really happy about the "theme" that I used. I think maybe one or two of her presents were not for the Wii. Lesson learned.
My favorite presents were "Manning-related", because I love following the football players, who were friends of mine in grammar school. This year Kelly also gave me lots of Superman gifts, like the set of the movies, clothes, and decorations. In a way her gifts were also themed. There was a general thread that she was pointing to, telling me the whole time that I was HER Superman.
So how does this connect with God, and Jesus, and Christmas in general? Simple: it is all the same. The whole gift of Christ, and the season, and God's place in it all....it is a gift from God to us. He gave us this time to REALLY revel in all that is possible when we put our faith where it should be. When I speak to non-believers, one of the first things I point out is Christmas. It is the most powerful time of the year. Lives turn around at Christmas. Lost family members, and friends, return during Christmas. It is the start of all that is wonderful about life in this world. All because God gave us the best gift! Jesus!