My German grandmother, Oma, always gave my brother and me presents for Christmas. As a single mother (she had lost her husband in a car accident when she was only 28), she raised three children by operating a hamburger stand on the corner of the high school property in Fredericksburg, Texas. We were always aware of the sacrifice she made to give us gifts. One of the ways we knew this was the way in which she wrapped them. They were neatly wrapped in candy bar boxes. Inside we might find socks, underwear, etc., and if we were lucky there might even be some candy! One of the things I have always remembered, though, is that sometimes you might also receive change that rattled in the box. She made sure that the exact amount was spent on each child, down to the penny. Oma wanted to be fair to each grandchild, especially at Christmas.
How easy it is for us to say “Life is not fair.” We didn’t get the job we wanted, we didn’t get the raise we had hoped for, we don’t have the biggest house, or the finest car. Santa didn’t bring us what we asked for! Can you believe that?
Christmas is not a time to think negatively about what we don’t have but is a time to look around and ask, “What are the blessings that have been given to us this year?” List them. What you will find are more pennies in your candy box than you can believe. Take those pennies, add some more to them, and bless someone else with a nice surprise during this time of great Good News!
JOY JOY JOY
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11 NASB)