GIFTS of LOVE
“ I wonder as I wander out under the sky, why Jesus the Savior did come for to die?....”
IT is that time of year when we ask ourselves – “What should I get Susi, John, or Sam?” This year with COVID still rampant, the idea of giving gifts made with your own hands vs those BIG GIFTS sitting off shore in shipping containers reminds us again of the purpose of gifts. Are they to make us feel guilty? How often have I had an UNMARKED gift under the tree for that person that I didn’t know was bringing me a gift!! Are gifts supposed to BALANCE OUT somehow? I used to keep a journal of gifts given so I wouldn’t be guilty of giving the same thing year after year, showing no imagination, or really, if TRUTH be told, not knowing the person’s needs and wants, sizes even.
LAST YEAR we were in Alamogordo, New Mexico for a couple of weeks before Christmas so the gifts for kids, grands, and great grands had to be mailed. The USPS was so happy to see me coming, arms laden and check ready!! Because of Grandpa dying, we were actually all together soon after Christmas and NO ONE was even aware of having received gifts, there were more important things going on!! I vowed that THIS YEAR would be the year of GOLD, let them use it and buy what they needed, wanted, or save for the proverbial rainy day!! Those RAINY DAYS come to all of us at one time or another. BUT IT AMAZES me how GOD does PROVIDE. What we need, when we need it, and not a day BEFORE!! We have experienced this so often in our SIXTY YEARS of marriage!! Where did that time go we ask ourselves!
So this year, PRESENCE must outweigh presents!! We are near our kids and grands and greats, at least SOME of them. Enjoying picking up the youngest granddaughter from school is but only one of the immediate rewards for not going to Arizona before WINTER sets in. We will see how we feel about that when we do head south. Frozen water line in Lamar Colorado last year as we rushed to eastern Colorado caused us to comment on the reason the “snow birds” went to Arizona in October rather than the end of December!! Dad did wait for us to arrive; he died on Sunday, we had arrived late Thursday afternoon. The timing was perfect and being with the WEATHERS family was so important at that particular time! We were so proud that all three of our children made time to come for the Celebration of LIFE.
I read a piece yesterday of a newspaper clipping from the early 1900s where the LETTERS TO SANTA from that era had been reprinted. The one letter asked for an ORANGE, another asked for a book for sister, while a third asked for a warm coat, and nearly ALL added “PLEASE remember me!” IS that the PURPOSE of your gift, a tangible item showing that you REMEMBERED someone. Maybe even your presence is a gift to be given in LOVE and accepted as such.
Merry Christmas from the MOUNTAIN AND a BLESSED 2022!
