The Gift of Love

December 4, 2024

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

Christmas time is here!

When I was 11 years old, Christmas seemed a little more exciting to me. That year, I must have been feeling particularly anxious to know what presents I was getting, so I started doing something I had never done before. I decided to see if I could sneak and find all of my presents. So mid-December, I started snooping around and investigating closets, hidden nooks and crannies, looking under beds, in the bottom of the bird cage, looking anywhere, everywhere for my presents. I had to find my presents, not either of my sister’s presents…but MINE...all mine!

And then I discovered them-the motherlode of presents. They were all in my mom’s closet, barely covered on the floor. There they were, just sitting there…beckoning me to look through them…and so I did.

For me, there was a set of weights, 110 pounds of pure muscle building potential. There was a punching bag to hang from the ceiling. I guess my parents wanted their boy to be able to defend himself. Either that or they thought I was a little wimpy and needed a subtle reminder to put on some muscle!

But the present that intrigued me the most was The Beatles latest album Revolver. (If you know your music, you can tell what year this was). I loved music and especially The Beatles. But whose was this album was? Me or one of my sisters? I had to know.

So I called my mom at work and said, “Mom, I am thinking of getting Revolver for Linda for Christmas.” My mom said, “Don’t do that, I already got it for her.” Mystery solved, the 11-year-old sneakster detective had solved the conundrum. Thank you. Yes, I know. I am deviously clever.

Then, on Christmas morning, I had to pull out all of my 11-year-old acting skills to pretend like I was surprised. “Oh, weights! Hey, a punching bag!... Thanks a lot! Hey Linda…look… The Beatles…groovy!”

I kind of missed the real point of Christmas. For me, it was about getting, not giving, sharing, and being thankful. It was about ME with a capital I.

May you find many things under the tree that bring a smile to your face. But may the greatest gift you unwrap this year be love. Love from God to you. Love to God from you. And love for each other.

Here is a Christmas variation on 1 Corinthians 13. Have a great holiday my friends.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just a decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on my love for God, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails.

Play stations will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.