Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s upon us. That time of the year. Lights, decorations, festive songs, scented trees, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, long lines in the mall, maxed out credit cards, in-laws, tacky ties and soap-on-a-rope (a gift I received years ago and still haven’t forgotten).
Have I left out anything? Oh, yeah, what about Jesus?
A lady at work asked me the other day what I was getting my kids. I replied, “It’s not their birthday.”
You would think I blasphemed.
Another equally offended lady joined in. “Well, the 3 wise men brought gifts to Jesus.”
Being an equal opportunity offender, I responded, “Yes, to Jesus, but not my kids.”
“I just can’t believe that you wouldn’t get your kids anything for Christmas!”
“Relax”, I said, “I do give them gifts…all the time. Food, clothes, braces, eyeglasses, contact lenses, hot water, soft beds and blankets, a warm house, piano lessons, guitar lessons, medicines, Happy Meals and a whole lot more.”
I think I’m the one who needs a gift.
A friend suggested that late Christmas Eve night I go around putting bright red bows on Spaghetti O cans, bed pillows, macaroni and cheese boxes, soda cans, toilet seats, the thermostat and piles of dirty laundry. I think that’s a great idea and for good measure I will stick bows on the TV, the Wii, the kids PC, the XBox, the Nintendo DS, their Ipods and other cool stuff I never had as a kid.
Alright, don’t dare leave me mean comments. I am only kidding, a little. My kids will get some gifts.
They just need to know that the season isn’t about them. But I love you all immensely.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Onword and Upwords by Dennis Brady 