The simplicity of Christmas

BrendaBy Brenda Cannon Henley
This week is important for families, friends, co-workers, churches, schools, and communities. Many people will tell you it is their favorite week of the entire year. Big, delicious meals are being planned to share with loved ones, gifts are wrapped and waiting under the creatively decorated tree, people are traveling, and children of all ages are dreaming of sugar plums, reindeer, Santa, and grandparents, in many cases. I truly enjoy taking part in Christmas surprises and will never forget the year I woke up on my birthday and found a completely restored Corvette parked in my driveway with a big bow on the windshield. It was a deep muscadine wine color on the outside and a soft gray leather on the inside. I had thought I wanted a car like that since high school, but after driving the car for a few months, I realized my dream was not practical. I had three children, bought lots of groceries, and drove many people to various places in my work. It had one other seat and the driver’s, and very little room for anyone or anything else.

The first week I owned the car and went to buy groceries, I purchased $86.00 worth, which at the time, was quite a lot. The young man that brought them to the car simply looked at me, looked at the car, and said, “Where would you like me to put these?” I had no idea. I sold it some time later and bought a practical vehicle, but I will never forget the gift and the joy it brought. Every time I see a Corvette on the roadway, I smile and think to myself, “I had one of those one time.” The spirit of the gift is buried deep within my heart and I cherish the memory.

Christmas is all about giving. It may be a physical gift such as the car was for me, it may be the gift of time, it could be a simple telephone call, a note, card, or letter, or a visit. In many cases, the gift of forgiveness is a wonderful gift. Repairing broken or damaged relationships would be a marvelous contribution to the holidays. The size or the cost of the gift is not the primary thing. The thought and desire to give to another is the treasure that comes with sharing. So many young people struggle with the desire to do more than their already stretched budgets can allow. I fear they put themselves into more worrisome situations when those maxed out credit cards start rolling in during the new year.

Take time during this happy season of the year to read out loud Luke, Chapter 2, in the Holy Bible. It tells us of the greatest gift ever given — That of the Baby Jesus in the manger. We know the concept, but do we dwell on it and do we teach it, as well as model it, for our children and others around us? “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Christmas celebrates God sending His only begotten Son to the world, being born in a lowly manger, growing to become a man, dying on the cross, and rising from the tomb.

Once we have accepted this gracious gift that God sent to us, we should have a desire to serve others. We help where needed, teach when given the opportunity, speak to others offering hope, kindness, love, and peace. We seek ways to be helpful and not hurtful. And we know in our hearts that we will see our loved ones again in Heaven and that we will dwell with God the Father, Son, and Spirit for eternity.

My prayers go out this week to those who are recuperating from surgery and other illnesses, those that have experienced the loss of a special loved one in recent days, our military men and women and their family members, and those whose hearts are hurting for a number of reasons. I encourage you to focus on your good gifts, share your means and time, give to those who have less or who need more, and remember why we set aside this special time of the year we call Christmas.

Merry Christmas to our faithful readers and may your New Year be filled with blessings and joy.
[12-19-2016]

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected].

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