Gifts

Merry Christmas

Christmas is only a few days away, and although this year is different in so many ways, there are also so many things that are the same.  The last minute errands, gift wrapping, decorating, meal planning are all still happening, churches everywhere are busy wrapping up their Christmas service planning, rehearsals or recordings, and families are traveling or staying home to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

No matter how this year has changed or challenged us, the constant that is true for all of us, is that in just a few days we are going to be celebrating Jesus’ Birthday and the beautiful story that began that night.

In our family this season is full of Birthdays and Holidays.  Beginning mid-November and culminating in mid January, our family of six celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and five birthdays.  Gift giving plays a significant role in this season, in our planning, and certainly in our pocket books.  This year, I’ve been reflecting more than usual about the gift that Jesus gave us and how we celebrate his Birthday.  

I’ve reached the stage in life, where I don’t really want more stuff.  Everyone wants me to give them a Christmas list, and I don’t have one.  I want to do things, go places, make memories.  Of course this isn’t the ideal year for that, but I’m willing to modify.  I’m enjoying game nights with my family more that opening a present.  Sitting at the dinner table together, more than a new knick-knack or cooking gadget.  And somewhere in my mental wonderings, the little drummer boy has come to mind.

Growing up, this wasn’t one of my favorite Christmas songs.  Not sure why, but I just didn’t love it, and then… a few years ago, we did this song in Christmas Eve services at my church, and in the amazing display of lights and sound, I watched 4 drummers drum their hearts out during this song.  Individually, in drum solo’s and then together, and my heart beat with them.

For the first time the words of the song and the meaning connected with my heart.  That’s ultimately what it’s really all about.  God’s gift to us was so incredible that there is nothing I could offer that would be fit for a King, but I’ll bring everything  I am, every talent I have, and lay it at His feet.  I want to pour myself out for Him, the way these drummers poured everything they had into beating those drums. 

So, that is my prayer this week, and I challenge you to join me in it.  God, show me how to offer everything I have and everything I am to you.  Show me where to pour it all out to honor you.  And in the season of gift giving, Jesus, help me to remember, that you have already given us the only gift that every really mattered.