The Joy of Giving a Gift

Nick came home recently and the first thing I said to him was, “I think you should open one of your Christmas presents.” His response was something like this, “I just walked in the door. Can it wait until I take my shoes off and change out of my suit?” I wanted to say no, but I responded “of course” and the gift opening ended up later. The longer I waited, my heart beat faster until I suggested again that he should open one present early. As Nick went for the wrong package, I smiled and pointed to the one I really, really wanted him to open. His reaction was everything I hoped it would be! He was surprised and excited that I had gotten him the pea coat he had mentioned in passing that he wanted. We both were grinning ear to ear. Nick got his new coat and I got to see the sparkle in his eye of being surprised with something he wanted and needed!

It’s clear to me now that I am not the only person who gets so incredibly excited about giving a gift. Others have told me that they, too, love and encourage early present opening for exactly the same reason. As we dive deep into Advent and are almost to Christmas, I can’t help but imagine the emotions that God would have as we are readying to receive the gift of the Christ child.

What was it like for God on that first Christmas night? Was God giggling with excitement? Were the angels pacing back and forth wondering how the shepherds would react? What level of anticipation was heaven swimming in as the Word became flesh? All the excitement of giving a gift must still be there each time someone celebrates that God has reached them through the life-changing love of Jesus. God, the angels, and all of heaven smile from ear to ear.

At this Christmas, remember your baptism, your confirmation, or accepting Christ, and imagine a giggling God, overflowing with joy. Imagine angels singing and heaven filled with celebration. Each one of us, as we accept the gift of Christ, have given God another reason to ask the angels to sing!

friendship

This morning I had the honor of meeting up with a former church member and forever friend for coffee. We sat and shared our lives as they are now. We drank hot coffee and felt the warmth of friendship. For over an hour, the places in our hearts that had first connected through shared faith and shared values got to rejoin and celebrate. When I think of church, and the reason for it (besides worshipping God--that most obvious reason), this is what I celebrate. True friendship is the one of the hallmarks of a healthy church. And, I'm not just describing seeing people regularly and exchanging niceties. Friendships based in the faith always love, respect, and hold each other accountable to what we say we are about. Friendships based in the faith pursue kindness and stick up for one another. Friendships based in faith seek to understand another's point of view and never make judgements (that's for God to do).

One of my dearest friends now lives many miles away from me in California. We grew up together in church and school and even went to college together. Even though we cannot see each other on a regular basis, our friendship is as strong as ever. When I went through a difficult breakup, she reminded me that God needed me to take care of me instead of trying to "fix" anyone else or be someone I wasn't. When I was lonely and wanted to run back home, she reminded me that sometimes the choices we make are hard, but we live them out like we committed to doing. There are many more examples I could list from our friendship. I pray that my presence in her life has been as wonderful as her's in mine.

Who are those friends in your life that keep you grounded and encourage your better sensibilities? I am thankful to not have just one of these mighty friends in my life, but many. I thank God for you each, as Paul did that we live in the grace of God where even though we are not perfect, we love each other toward our better selves.

On another avenue of friendship, this past Friday, my beloved lab/pointer mix Chaco died of a stroke while we were at our daily dog park visit. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen. I am thankful for the help of the community of folks that are regularly at the dog park. Lucy (our GSP) barked at him as he lay there and one woman, Danielle, helped me try to revive him and carried him until we met my husband who had rushed from work. Another woman took care of Lucy as we made it to the vet. And, people have been checking in and sharing their concern for us since it happened. Most people who know me understand how important Chaco was. I got him after my dad died, and he helped me learn to grieve. He was my companion for 8 years and went to work with me on a regular basis. When Nick came into our lives, they quickly bonded. Soon, I am going to post an entry as a list of memories. It is really a place for me to remember him, and if you'd like, please share with me your Chaco memories too. : )