Women of Hope Church

What Do You Find Under the Christmas Tree?

“Can you think of one present you’ve received in your life that still makes you smile and gives you a warm sense of delight? Maybe it was a childhood Christmas gift or something more recent.”

My best gift was an easel.

“The easel? Tell me why this gift meant so much to you?”

Well, Causey and I had been going together for a while and my heart was won, but he still hadn’t quite decided he wanted to get married. Then at Christmas, here arrived a mysterious package: an antique easel. Beautiful! I was overcome. He understood exactly who I was, he recognized me as an artist, and gave me something to exercise my gifts and create something lovely. Only someone who loved me would think of such a thing.

“So this easel was antique, it had history, people before had used and loved it. Causey had extravagantly gotten something that he knew you would appreciate in a unique way. He saw you as an artist and gave you a pallete with which to paint a beautiful expression of the world around you. And it expressed his love. I can see why it touched your heart.”

Do you see how this gift is a parable of God’s greatest gift to us at Christmas?

Jesus’ coming to earth to heal us cost a great deal. His life. His coming had history. For centuries people had longed for and awaited the Messiah, and now, unexpectedly, here he was! In his gift of new life, He recognizes your unique gifts and potential and equips you to express his love, creatively re-presenting His world, His love. As you use that easel in many ways, many years, you will always marvel at the love expressed. Truly awesome.

I’d like to tell you about my doll bunk bed too. We had four boys and one daughter. When she saw bunk beds for the first time she decided she wanted a doll bunk bed for Christmas. I quickly said ‘Fine’—but when November came around, I couldn’t find a doll bunk bed anywhere. I tried every source I could imagine (no web then) with no success, so I made alternate plans. Finally on Christmas Eve, on her way to bed, Maia said,

‘Well the only thing I really want is a doll bunk bed.’

My heart sank. I hated to have a little four year old face the hard realities of life. I told her father, who said he was sorry but what could he do.

Finally after the midnight service, Daddy (Pastor Jack) came home from church and I met him on our stairs, wearing work clothes.

"Where do you think you are going?" I said.

"Down to the basement to make a doll bunk bed." He said.

All night long he measured and sawed and planed. Using solid oak he made a doll bunk bed put together with dowels, with a little ladder up to the top bunk, sanding it all until it was satin smooth. At six in the morning he placed it under the tree and stood there with sawdust on his clothes and wood curls in his hair. Maia ran down the stairs, eyes wide with excitement and reached up to the tree:

‘Oh look! A candy cane!’

A Candy cane?

But since then, this doll bed has become her most treasured gift. She holds it as an expression of her father’s sacrifice and love. It’s a gift from her father, her daddy, her ABBA.

Is this what we do at Christmas? The most wonderful gift of all is given us at this time and we’re sidetracked by glitter and wrappings.

‘I love the music, the sights and smells of the season,’ we say. But the greatest gift of all time is there waiting for us to receive with unbounded thanksgiving and joy. Remember it.

Merry Christmas. --Marji Robertson