THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS 12/17/2002

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a Wise Man,

I would do my part –

Yet what can I give Him?

I give my heart.

By: Christina Rossetti

        A man once told what happened to him one Christmas Eve when he was a boy, after the Christmas story had been read. After he and his brothers and sisters had opened all their presents, his father asked for quiet, and said, "Of all the presents you received tonight, I want you to decide which one you like the very best, and set it in front of you." When this was done, the father continued, "Now I want each of you to think of someone you know who is less fortunate than you, and who is not getting presents as you are. Tomorrow we will have the fun of delivering to this person the presents you have chosen as the very best." This man said he could never forget this experience. It taught him what Christmas was all about – when God gave to mankind the very best He had.

        We, too, can offer gifts to the Lord according to the Scriptures: "And the King shall answer and say to them, verily I say to you, inasmuch as you have done these things for the least of these My brethren, you have done them for Me." (Matthew 25:40) When we give from a pure loving heart, we are giving to the Lord!

        As E. B. White once said, "To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult every year!" Let us all peel away the wrapping on Christmas this year to reveal the beautiful Godly Gift of Love that Christmas truly is!