15 Days

Not counting today (Monday, December 9), there are 15 days left till Christmas. You probably are shopping, sometimes frantically, for the right gift for someone you llove. That seems to be the case for most of us. I have asked my generous bride to forego a gift on my part this year. She will ignore that, of course, but perhaps that one really expensive gift she always provides, is one with which we can dispense. The simple truth is – I have absolutely everything I need, and almost everything I want, and the few things left which are wanted are much to expensive to consider.

There are so many “gifts” that we possess, and often fail to notice, when we compare our life to that of so many others in our World. I know, we grow a little tired of hearing about all the people who struggle from day to day just for the basic essentials, but perhaps, especially at this time of year when we celebrate God’s gift – “for a child will be born for us, a son will be give to us. . .” (Isaiah 9:6) – to each of us, we might wish to focus again.

I have been reminded over the last couple of days that

I have warmth when it is very cold –

I have transportation to places beyond where I am willing to walk –

I have a warm reception when I return home from a busy day, followed by a warm meal, and a warm bed in which to sleep –

I have friends who miss me when we are not together –

I have llove to keep me focused on the needs and cares of others –

I have peace in the midst of a World filled with struggles, pain, sorrow, and death –

I have life eternal, from which I can never be separated –

And, perhaps most importantly, I have an understanding that the “child born” is the “son given,” and know that is the real meaning of Christmas. For indeed, that is the gift that makes all the others possible.

Fifteen days from now we will get caught up in the splendor of all that is Christmas – and we must be careful to use these days carefully, discerningly, wisely and well. There will follow a long year of compelling distractions before we get here again.