A Gift in the Hand...

What do you bring to the child who has everything?

We blew it big time. Having enjoyed eight day’s free use of a story-book cottage on the famous Cape Cod, we were struggling to figure out what to bring home for each of the grandkids. It had been a financially, as well as emotionally, stressful year so dollars were somewhat limited. But we ALWAYS bring gifts from afar whenever we travel. (Yes, even if our wanderings are only as far away as Omaha or KC). So for the second time in as many days, we found ourselves upstairs in one of those quaint toy-shops on the island, diligently searching for the PERFECT gift for nine different kids. You know, the thing that “makes their day” and brings incredible excitement to their faces at its opening.

And then the shopkeeper made a suggestion. “Why don’t you buy them each a Webkinz? These are the hottest things out. In the next few months they are going to be the rage all over the country! They each get a pet and then, with it, access to a website. They can play with their pets on the computer, can invite their friends to join them on THEIR computers…it’s going to be the hottest thing ever!”

Yeah…right. So we picked out nine probably disposable gifts, not one of which was a Webkinz, packed our bags and headed home. We should have bought a Webkinz! That is obvious now…who KNOWS how many Webkinz later.

So here we are, in another one of those seasons of dilemma. What gift do we bring to the Child that has everything? What gift will we give at His party? After all, it IS His birthday and we don’t want to come with empty hands!

He has the angels of heaven awaiting His every wish. He has the Father’s approval and the wealth of Eternity as His inheritance. He has the sun, moon and stars as living playthings. He has the command of all creation, the fish in the waters, the animals on the land, the birds in the skies. He lacks for nothing, nothing at all! So what gift will we bring to Him on this, His birthday?

The perfect gift? Seems so simple. And it costs so little. But it brings Him more joy than any or every elaborate thing. The gift you bring to the Child who has everything? His mother simply gave Him her heart!

Wonder why we didn’t think of THAT in that toyshop on Cape Cod?

“And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:18-19

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom

P.S. Don’t forget to bring HIM your gift!