Dressed in their finest, feeling like a couple of kids getting ready to go to prom (a memory from over 60 years ago), they cherished their Christmas Eve tradition in this season of life. Sitting together on the couch in front of the tree, with carols softly playing in the background, they took a moment to exchange gifts before their son arrived to take them to church.
Clearly excited to share their gifts with each other, it was his turn to go first this year. As she slowly opened the small box, he was filled with anticipation, hoping the necklace he had painstakingly chosen would be to her liking. “It’s beautiful, honey. You always know what I would like.”
Then it was her turn to share her gift. The box was small and light and his imagination was filled with curiosity about what it could possibly be. As he lifted the top of the box he saw what appeared to be a small stack of beautiful paper strips. He turned over the first one and in impeccable calligraphy was one word. Love. Intrigued, he looked over to her, and in response she simply nodded. Wondering what might come next he turned over the second strip of paper. Joy. Thinking that it might be some sort of puzzle that would lead to a gift not held in this box he turned over the next slip of paper. Peace. Honestly confused, he quickly began to turn over all of the pieces of paper. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control.
Midway through the words he clued into the fact that these were the Fruit of Spirit that Paul wrote to the faith community in Galatia. Seeing his bewilderment, a loving smile came on her face as she said, “Sweetheart, these are the gifts I would like to share with you this year.” Her smile and her words warmed his heart and moistened his eyes as he said, “You have never given me a better gift. And the truth is, you have been sharing these gifts with me since the first day I met you.”
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa
May all your gifts, given and shared, be filled with love.
BP