"the best gifts are non-returnable"
(The following excerpts are from a weekly reflection written by one of my college's campus ministers. I know it's a bit long, but with just a few more days until Christmas, I found these thoughts particularly beautiful.)
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"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12: 4-6)
"For a woman, being entrusted with the miraculous gift of carrying a child (even one who has not been prophesied to be the Messiah) is a daunting and indescribable gift. But Mary, even in her young age, must have realized that a child, any child, is a gift to the world - a gift that needs to be nurtured, loved and cherished...
"Children, though, are but one special gift given by God. As the Corinthians passage tells us, God gives each of us spiritual gifts as well. These gifts are as varied and unique as we are. As God's children, we are to recognize the importance of these gifts and nurture them, so that we may eventually share them with the world. We have all been given gifts - some may seem more important or more 'spiritual' than others, but all are necessary and important as we strive to make peace and justice a reality in our broken world.
"This Christmas, as we tend to focus on the giving and receiving of materials gifts, may we not lose sight of the incredible gifts that God has given each of us...As we get tangled up in ribbon and wrapping, may we not forget the precious gift of a child born in a manger, who came to change the world and show God's people a new way to live....As we hurry to finish our Christmas shopping, may we remember the lesson found in the Christmas song of the Little Drummer Boy. The gifts that are most pleasing to God are the unlikely gifts that come with no refunds or exchanges or store credit. They are the gifts from our heart and our souls - gifts of love, of peace, and of hope."
And then she ended her reflection with this lovely prayer:
"Giving God, in these times of hustle and bustle, of ribbons and wrappings, of eggnog and elves, may we not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. May we remember the gift of the Christ-child and the unwavering love of his mother...
May we receive the unique spiritual gifts you have given each of us, recognizing the part that we each play in bringing about a world of peace and love, a world in which your light shines brightly for all. May we be gracious recipients and glad givers in all that we do, at Christmas time and throughout the year. Amen."
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
Where I am: home
What I'm reading: the December issue of Smithsonian
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"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12: 4-6)
"For a woman, being entrusted with the miraculous gift of carrying a child (even one who has not been prophesied to be the Messiah) is a daunting and indescribable gift. But Mary, even in her young age, must have realized that a child, any child, is a gift to the world - a gift that needs to be nurtured, loved and cherished...
"Children, though, are but one special gift given by God. As the Corinthians passage tells us, God gives each of us spiritual gifts as well. These gifts are as varied and unique as we are. As God's children, we are to recognize the importance of these gifts and nurture them, so that we may eventually share them with the world. We have all been given gifts - some may seem more important or more 'spiritual' than others, but all are necessary and important as we strive to make peace and justice a reality in our broken world.
"This Christmas, as we tend to focus on the giving and receiving of materials gifts, may we not lose sight of the incredible gifts that God has given each of us...As we get tangled up in ribbon and wrapping, may we not forget the precious gift of a child born in a manger, who came to change the world and show God's people a new way to live....As we hurry to finish our Christmas shopping, may we remember the lesson found in the Christmas song of the Little Drummer Boy. The gifts that are most pleasing to God are the unlikely gifts that come with no refunds or exchanges or store credit. They are the gifts from our heart and our souls - gifts of love, of peace, and of hope."
And then she ended her reflection with this lovely prayer:
"Giving God, in these times of hustle and bustle, of ribbons and wrappings, of eggnog and elves, may we not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. May we remember the gift of the Christ-child and the unwavering love of his mother...
May we receive the unique spiritual gifts you have given each of us, recognizing the part that we each play in bringing about a world of peace and love, a world in which your light shines brightly for all. May we be gracious recipients and glad givers in all that we do, at Christmas time and throughout the year. Amen."
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
Where I am: home
What I'm reading: the December issue of Smithsonian
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