I know they didn't invent it or start it, but I blame Hallmark anyway for perpetuating it. It being the endless stream of useless holidays, and inane celebrations. Those days which mean nothing to nobody, but yet Hallmark reminds you to send them a card. But the ones I really hate are the ones that have a "shower" attached to them, with the worst being a house warming or apartment warming-because of the gifts you receive. And perhaps the worst gift ever invented, then given, and never used, has to be the toaster oven.
We all have had one somewhere along the line, and is nothing we would buy for ourselves-but yet feel the need to inflict this painful device on someone else. It neither toasts, nor ovens, and the last one I had was a real exercise in futility. With no gauges or lights, you guessed when your toast was done, or more familiarly you waited for the burnt toast odor. And I can remember when Andrew liked the frozen mini-pizzas for about a week, you never knew when it had reached the set temp, and either had a hard, semi-frozen mess, or it was burnt-see toaster results. The perfect gift to take up precious counter space, that seemed to be standard in every home 30 years ago, but no one ever claimed to use, or have used. And one day we had finally had enough-and fought back.
After years of putting up with this space robbing, toast burning, annoying device, we fought back. Rather than just throw it away, we took it into the back yard, and we each took turns beating it with an ax! Until it was pieces of broken glass and twisted metal. And felt better relieving our home of this curse! And got renewed encouragement of our convictions when the next door neighbor, who had been watching from his kitchen window yelled "hit it for me too, I have one of those *$^#@^ things too!" And a tradition was started, and whenever a toaster didn't, or can opener wouldn't, out came the ax. But never, no never was there ever another toaster oven. One to a family... the curse was over. And to whoever gave us the one we had-I hope you receive one yourself, and soon-the gift that keeps annoying, and annoying...
But all gifts are not useless, many have forethought, which sometimes might not be evident at their giving. When Jesus was born some 2000 years ago, fortunately they didn't have toaster ovens. But the wise men-note-there weren't three of them, woe to those of you getting history from a song-brought some unusual and expensive gifts for a child that was born in a feeding trough, in a cave, to a couple of teenagers. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh-now why would a child want these, and what would be their purpose? But God, as Jesus' father, knew exactly what His child would need, and who He was and would grow up to be, and when taking that into consideration, it all becomes clear. Gold represented the fact that Jesus was a King-King of the Jews, but also King of Kings. What better gift for a king! The frankincense represented the fact that He was our high priest, and was the precious aroma of love and honor unto God, his father. Both those would be understandable, and welcome-who doesn't want their child to grow up and become successful? But the myrrh, why? That was for embalming and preparing the dead for burial. Why give a newborn this gift? There again God knew-just like John3:16 tells us. He sent His son to die in our place and save the world from its sin. A baby dressed in swaddling clothes-strips of cloth used to wrap the dead, and then the gift of myrrh-predicting the reason why Jesus came to earth. The perfect gift from a loving Father, via a loving son, to a lost and dying world. A statement that no card, Hallmark or other could ever fully represent, but faithfully remembered in the gospels. A simple statement of love.
But it is a gift, and Jesus must be accepted to receive its fullness. And it starts with a decision to let Him into your life. And to celebrate Him through your new life-everyday. No need to wait for Easter or Christmas-you can enjoy Him everyday! And the gifts that He showers on you via His spirit as you walk in His love and truth. Grace He calls it, along with mercy. And it is new every morning-which is good because I seem to use up all the mercy from yesterday! And I need more today!
Jesus Christ-the hallmark of the church-spend time with Him today! The gift that keeps on giving-and don't expect any toaster ovens! The only showers you can expect from Him are showers of joy! And who couldn't use a little more counter space in their lives-for love?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com