The theme song of the hurried, stressed-out mama echoes in my heart and brain. (And for some reason, in my tired head, it’s always set to a high-pitched chirpy version of Carol of the Bells. Alvin and the Chipmunks style.)
Rush rush here. Christmas is near.
Rush rush there. Chaos everywhere.
Can you hear the lovely bells that are ringing?
Can you hear the lovely children are screaming?
Rush rush here. Christmas is near.
Rush rush there. Clutter everywhere.
This year, I’ve done my best to do all the truly authentic Christmassy things (or what I’ve heard is the driving force behind having the heart of Christ at Christmas). I’ve been reading the advent books. Doing the end-of-chapter activities with the kids. Pouring over the additional Scriptures and historical notations. Been generous with my time and talents. Even helped with a live nativity.
But through it all, I couldn’t quite pinpoint what I was searching and yearning after. There seemed to be a key element missing, in spite of all my Christmas intentionality.
You see, I’ve been scrambling around trying to find the ideal present for each person on my list.
And it hit me. What I really should be looking for is the perfect present to give my friend Jesus (who just so happens to be the Savior of the world). You know, THE ONE whose birthday we’re celebrating?!
So I started making a list.
Maybe my gifts and talents. My actions; my words. My hopes and dreams. This ministry.
How about our growing laundry pile? (That’d be a sizable gift.) Or our gloriously imperfect family. (Nah. I gave Him that last year.)
But nothing I came up with seemed appropriate. Nothing seemed quite adequate. Until today.
Today I know just what I’m going to give.
My HEART.
I’m going to give Him the tender and the calloused places. The hurting and happy places. The places I’ve stuffed deep deep down and posted a No Trespassing sign. The areas I’ve camouflaged with heart shaped BandAids. The broken. The wounded. The fearful. I’m giving it all. No part will be held back. No part left hidden.
And as I wrap those last few items to place under the tree, I’m going to bathe each present in prayer and a melody of praise. Not because I’m so holy. But because He is so worthy.
I want my gifts of love to reach the hearts of others. To proclaim His goodness and the GIFT that He is. For ALL of us. That they too will want to give their hearts to Him.
So Merry CHRISTmas, dear friends! What a privilege it is to celebrate the Savior with you! How He came to earth. How He lived. How He loved. How He gave of His life, conquering death to give us life everlasting. And how He is coming again!!!
He truly is THE BEST GIFT of all.
Anne-Renee Gumley
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