Advent – Time for Preparation
Advent – the time of preparation. The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the Christmas gift-buying season. Thousands of shoppers head for the malls to find the perfect gift at the best price. I have been at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. Lines are long. Store associates are overworked. Tempers are on a short fuse.
I heard one of my favorite Christmas songs the other day, “The Little Drummer Boy.” This song tells the story of a family who received a visit from the Magi as they headed to visit Jesus. The Magi invite the family to come with them to worship the newborn King. The family members decline; however, the little boy of the family wants to see the King. The boy travels to visit Mary and Joseph and Jesus. Gifts are presented – precious gifts – gifts fit for a King are given to Jesus and His family. The boy is sad for he has no gift to give. He is a poor boy, too, just like Jesus. He then remembers that he has a drum. “Shall I play for him?” he asks Mary.
Mary nodded and the little drummer played his best for the King. He gave Jesus the only gift he had – himself and his talents.
That song always sobers me. For I, too, get caught up in the mall, the shopping, the gift procuring. I rush from store to store looking, comparing, buying gift after gift. I spend lots of time and lots of money to please my family and friends. When it comes to getting the perfect gift – I spare no expense, no effort is too great, no mall is too far.
But what do I give to God? It is foolish to think that I would go to the mall to buy a gift for God, or is it? Can I not purchase an extra toy and donate it to an organization that distributes toys to needy children? Can I not buy a new coat for the child who has none? Can I not give my change to those who would benefit more than I? Is that not buying a gift for God?
But is that the best gift I can give Him? Perhaps I can learn a lesson from the little drummer boy. Perhaps the best gift I can give God is myself. I can use my God-given talents and abilities to help spread the Gospel. A good gift comes from the heart – the best gift comes from the soul.
Come – Lord Jesus.
I heard one of my favorite Christmas songs the other day, “The Little Drummer Boy.” This song tells the story of a family who received a visit from the Magi as they headed to visit Jesus. The Magi invite the family to come with them to worship the newborn King. The family members decline; however, the little boy of the family wants to see the King. The boy travels to visit Mary and Joseph and Jesus. Gifts are presented – precious gifts – gifts fit for a King are given to Jesus and His family. The boy is sad for he has no gift to give. He is a poor boy, too, just like Jesus. He then remembers that he has a drum. “Shall I play for him?” he asks Mary.
Mary nodded and the little drummer played his best for the King. He gave Jesus the only gift he had – himself and his talents.
That song always sobers me. For I, too, get caught up in the mall, the shopping, the gift procuring. I rush from store to store looking, comparing, buying gift after gift. I spend lots of time and lots of money to please my family and friends. When it comes to getting the perfect gift – I spare no expense, no effort is too great, no mall is too far.
But what do I give to God? It is foolish to think that I would go to the mall to buy a gift for God, or is it? Can I not purchase an extra toy and donate it to an organization that distributes toys to needy children? Can I not buy a new coat for the child who has none? Can I not give my change to those who would benefit more than I? Is that not buying a gift for God?
But is that the best gift I can give Him? Perhaps I can learn a lesson from the little drummer boy. Perhaps the best gift I can give God is myself. I can use my God-given talents and abilities to help spread the Gospel. A good gift comes from the heart – the best gift comes from the soul.
Come – Lord Jesus.