The Gift of Love....

"Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don't quite know how to put our love into words." - Harlan Miller

Do everything in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

I do believe I could one day write a best-selling book entitled The Wonderful World of the Vaughan Christmas Trees.  Chapter 1 might be 'What Happened to That Tree?'  After one of our first Christmas seasons as a married couple, my husband and I were so proud of our efforts to dispose of a live tree in an environmentally-friendly, ecological way.  We had carefully anchored the tree down in the back of the green Chevy Blazer and made our way to the drop-off location.  Upon our arrival, we both stared in complete amazement at an empty back seat.  Yep, somewhere along HWY 360, the tree and all its anchors had blown out the back end of that evergreen-colored blazer.  We never even noticed! I feel certain everyone driving down the highway that evening did!

Chapter 2 of my book might be 'How Many Light Strands and Books Will You Need to Make That Tree Sparkle + Stand Up Straight?'  Indeed, this is the year another strand of lights on our pre-lit tree goes out daily.  It is also the year of the leaning tree.  Really short people like the Vaughan's just fix that with books.  If you desire to catch up on reading this winter,  just cozy up under the Vaughan Christmas tree.  There's plenty of light and book titles from which to choose.  Watch your head though, as there's some tree leaning happenin' down there.  

One week ago, I attended the funeral of my second cousin in Celina, Texas.  Joyce Ann passed away unexpectedly at the age of 73.  My greatest memories of Joyce Ann include the ways her words and actions always made others feel special.  Sitting in the pew of the quaint Baptist church,  I became overwhelmed by her devotion to touching the hearts of others.  Joyce Ann's favorite time of year was Christmas, and her family reflected on the ways she encouraged them to love it, too.  Woven into the tapestry of the holidays was just being present.  Every year, she organized a Christmas calendar highlighting the times and places her family would simply be together.  Joyce Ann was intentional about creating space, every day, to love those around her.  No one talked about the hoopla of her holidays.  With twin boys, we know there were stressful moments, epic meltdowns in shopping malls, years she wondered if all the shopping would actually get done and times she questioned why the Christmas menu seemed inadequate.  We all do.

I am guessing you have already looked at the date today and wondered, "Dear Lord, Baby Jesus ….How will I get everything done?"  What if the 'everything' doesn't really matter?  What if the partially-lit tree with an entire book collection below is a true reflection of our messy, chaotic lives?  May we all take time today to simply celebrate some of the greatest gifts we can offer others this holiday season.  Be present.  Give hugs.  Brighten the spirits of those around you with your caring words.  Love like Jesus. Amen.