Gift Givers and Receivers

What is the most amazing gift you have ever received? Were you 6, 26 or 76? At age 6, I received an American Flyer train set with real smoke, an engine & whistle sound and some real cool cars and bridges. I think my dad had more fun with it than I did. Christmas is the time of year when giving and receiving gifts is certainly highlighted in stores, TV ads, and in the thoughts of kids of all ages anticipating family meals, gift exchanges and perhaps singing a few Christmas carols.  Are you looking forward to Christmas 2016?

My favorite story about gift giving is from the short story author, O.Henry: The Gift of the Magi. When a gift is received from someone with very few resources, it means so much knowing that there is sacrifice to make that gift happen. Today we received a combination anniversary/Christmas present from the young man we have supported in Ethiopia, Temesgen Belachew. What a blessing to pick up that DHL package on the front porch and open to find a large bag of the best coffee beans in the world from Yirgecheffe. Yep, the same coffee that Starbucks sells for about $5 a cup (and no, you are not invited for coffee at our house!)  Teme just graduated from the university and is working at a lower paying job waiting for a better paying position in Ethiopia or elsewhere in the world. We know this gift, and the cost of mailing, was a stretch for him as he supports his father and siblings also. This is a special gift at 76.

Sunday at the men’s winter shelter bible discussion, we talked about not only giving a gift, but also how to receive a gift with humility and thankfulness. These men receive a warm place to sleep, a pretty good hot meal every night and place to hang out during the day. They commented that when you receive a gift like this, you don’t criticize the giver, and you give thanks for what you have. We also reviewed the benefits of the gift that God gave us in His Son, Jesus. I outlined the multiple verses foretelling of His coming, the birth, and the reasons why Jesus came, one of which is the gift of His sacrifice for us. The men responded with a vibrant and uplifting dialogue of the potential of His gift for them. We discussed and agreed that religion sometimes gets in the way of a relationship with God which often leads to criticism of the Giver.  These guys get it and are a blessing.

My most perfect gift was at age 26. Need I say that after 50 years of marriage, God’s perfect gift to me is Jeanne.  OK, there was a time or two when I wanted some explanation about God’s gift and some helpful instructions. I try to make it a practice each day to express to God thankfulness for Jeanne and the many other gifts that have come from the Greatest Gift Giver.

How about you?  Gratitude and praise from our lips are a gift to the Lord.

Merry Christmas.