Two weeks tonight will be Christmas Eve, and all the last minute shopping
will be done, and families will be beginning to gather-hopefully to celebrate
Jesus, the reason for Christmas. And as we get older, it is harder to get
presents for some people, so sometimes we have to dig deep, pray, and see what
God has for us. And when you cannot find anything to buy, the bet gift is often
giving of yourself, which we did one Christmas. My family is back in New
Jersey, and we talked about going back, but couldn’t afford it. So we let them
think it would be another So Cal palm treed Christmas for us, but secretly had
made plans to surprise them by going back and surprising them. We would fly
back, arriving the night before the night before Christmas, and surprise them.
And the saga began...
Leaving warm and sunny San Diego, we landed in snowy, cold, and crowded
Newark Airport. Snow was piled deep, cars were stuck, and one huge, fat Port
Authority cop stands out-threatening to give tickets to those waiting, “lady, I
told yas don’t park dere, yas wanna ticket? I don’t care if it’s Christmas, I’m
gonna have yas towed...” as snowballs from kids went whizzing by. But our limo
showed up, really only a Lincoln, not a stretch like Andrew thought, and the old
black guy knew his way around. “Is it OK for me to take a shortcut, or do you
wanna spend Christmas in trafffic?” Go man-and he did, taking us back roads
that he knew and getting us to Scotch Plains, a mere 12 miles away, but eons
from the Port cop, who was still dodging snowballs when we left. Not the white
Christmas of Bing Crosby’s song, but white none the less. But we had made it,
and at about 8pm that night, in the snow, we arrived to a dark house, my parents
go to bed early, and the den is in the back of the house. After a few rings, my
mother answered the door, and stood with her mouth open in shock-no way could
she be seeing what or who she did! And could barely mouth my Father’s name to
call him-and after a few seconds let us in. And my Dad was just as shocked, a
Christmas surprise that they never expected, a gift from the heart from some
3000 miles away, delivered in person.
And suddenly they were all excited, as they would have all their family
together, all 5 grandsons, and the next day was one of shopping, baking,
cooking, and of joy. We had pulled it off-somehow we had kept the secret,
harder than you would have thought, and gave them in my Mother’s words, “the
best Christmas present they had ever gotten.” Somehow we had avoided the lines
on Black Friday, would have no bills coming in January,except for the tickets,
and God’s idea of the best gift was right on, a gift from the heart. And it was
worth the flight, the snow, the Port cop and confusion, the limo ride, and the
snow packed streets. Everything was in place and it again even snowed Christmas
Eve, as it should, giving us a white and joyful Christmas, for each of us. A
lesson to remember when shopping for gifts this year, one from the heart will
top anything that comes in a box, and will be wrapped in joys of memories for
years to come.
The first Christmas was just as joyful, and just as much as surprise. But
like us, on the night before the night before Christmas, a family was on the
road. Joe and Mary, expecting, on the road. And what a surprise was awaiting
them on that first Christmas Eve. Scripture tells us that “Mary pondered these
things in her heart,” being told she would have a son, and named Jesus, and He
would save the people from their sins, but she never envisioned the trip, nor
the way Jesus would come into the world. But prophesied He was a Nazarene, born
in Bethlehem, it could only happen like God planned it, on the way to Jerusalem,
the city God calls the “apple of His eye.” And on the night before His birth,
they too would be surprised, and God would give the best gift the world has ever
received, His son, Jesus. But it must have been a rough trip, Joe travelling
with his pregnant wife, and still in awe of her pregnancy. But being soothed
and comforted by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what lied ahead for them. But
arriving in Bethlehem the next day, no room was found for them, and as it is
today, kids come when they are ready, not when we are, but fortunately God was,
this was no surprise to Him, He had it all planned this way. And you know the
rest of the story, our Lord and Savior born in a barn, laid in a manger, while
angels watched above, and shepherds waited on high. A beautiful night, just
like God planned it, and today we still celebrate that night...and the days
after to come. And just like the gift to my parents, God’s gift to us was from
the heart, wrapped in swaddling clothes, strips of cloth, no bow or fancy
paper. For it is the gift and not the wrapping that brings joy. It is the
thoughtfulness, acted out in love that is remembered. And for our family,
because of Jesus, and the example God set 2000 years ago, Christmas is special.
But we always will remember that one night of surprise, when the greatest gift
was us giving ourselves as the gift. Just as God gave Himself as the gift for
us...and reminds us the true meaning of Christmas. While Bing sings of White
Christmases, “just like the ones I used to know,” we have one to remember too,
a special night where four not so wise people came bearing gifts-the only ones
they could afford, themselves. The only ones that still retain their value
today in the form of precious memories. And of course, Jesus Himself, the
ultimate gift, the best Christmas you can ever have. What’s on your gift
list?
Little Ralphie’s best Christmas he would ever have was a Red Ryder rifle,
ours was a surprise visit to Scotch Plains. Keep Christ in Christmas,
remembering the best gift for every day is Jesus, and never forget Joe and
Mary. Ponder the things of her son as she did, and let God bring Christmas
alive in your heart. Take care of your family as Joe did, trusting God, not
understanding, but travelling in faith. While a song reminds us of the 12 Days
of Christmas, the night before the night before Christmas had a young couple on
the road, and the next night their true love gave to them a son. Better than
any partridge in a pear tree...proving it is better to remember one night than
12 days. And how it is better to give than receive. And how the giver is
blessed...no matter how expensive/inexpensive the gift. Merry Christmas...and
may all your Christmases be white! Jesus-the perfect last minute gift-what are
you waiting for? Only God still delivers on Christmas.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com