The best part of Christmas

The best part of Christmas is highly debatable. I suppose who you ask reflects what 'the best part is.' The Christmas cards that pile in, finding the perfect gift, time with family, the music, the classical movies that run 24/7, the sweetness of a Christmas church service, and the list goes on.

Each year though, it goes without fail that my favorite part has little to do with the above. Yes, I love all those things, but thats not what I look forward to year after year.

Early fall my momma called me and asked me to do a "Christmas Jar" She sent me a book to read and asked if I'd begin a jar, collecting spare change to be given away at Christmas. Seemed simple and since I use cash, like the green stuff people rarely see anymore, I figured why not! So late in the year, I began a jar with the intention of giving it away. It was fun to come home from work or time with friends with spare change in my pocket knowing it was going to be given during Christmas. Each time I dropped coins in the jar I would simply pray that God would lead me to the person who needed it.

Last night was the night. The night to give my jar away. As the story goes (from the book) you are to give the jar anonymously. That might mean they see you, but its not to receive credit or praise.

Mom had picked out her family and delievry was simple. We (my mom sister and I) went to the house, dropped the jar by the front door, rang the doorbell and left. We did see two girls come to the door and get the jar, but what happened from there is for God alone to know.

The next stop, was giving away my jar. I wanted to go the store and give it to someone who seemed to need it. We picked Meijers (a store much like Wal Mart) and went in. With the jar and card in a plastic bag, we paced the store on the lookout. Its slightly awkward to look for someone in need without becoming judgmental. Again I prayed that God would lead me to the person who needed it.

When I saw them, I knew. A young mom shopping in the toy section holding what I would guess to be a 1 year old. Christmas shopping on the 23rd with baby in hand at 10:30 PM. Just seemed right. Maybe its cliche, or maybe thats why you go with your gut. I just kept going back to the aisle she stood in.

Jennifer (my sister) and I walked down the aisle and said very few words. I greeted her and said "I wanted to bless you this Christmas, Merry Christmas" while handing her the bag. She asked if it was a joke, I said no and Merry Christmas, and we walked away. The point of the Christmas Jar is not to engage in a long conversation or invite a lot of questions. Its a blessing. To be blessed I don't need to be in the picture. I just need to be obedient to deliver what I've been blessed with. So we did and walked away.

Walking out the store I looked back and saw her somewhat following us. That wasn't what I really noticed. I noticed her smile. I would imagine she looked in the bag to find the jar filled with money. But what really happened I will never know. What I do know is that it was a privilege to give to someone else. Her need will never be known to me, but I suspect everyone could use a little faith in humanity. To believe that good and blessings still exist. What a joy..

That was last night. Then today happened. I attended church at 1. The message at church asked the question "what do you give the King who has everything" If we the people are to give to Jesus, our King, what does he want us to give. If you look throughout scripture you will find its quite evident. He wants us to give to others the blessings we have been given. Just as the wise men came offering gifts 'to the least of these' so must we give to those in our community and neighborhood. At the time of Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph were the 'the least of these.' They had nothing and were about to face much tribulation for their circumstance. Yet God provided through others. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Just as Mary and Joseph were provided for my others, Jesus urges us to give to 'the least of these.' Sometimes they are the obvious folks, the ones we feel sorry for and tell stories about but without a holiday ignore. But other times its the people who just need a little love around the holidays.

As I exited church today, I was given a Panera gift card. Over 1000 were given out all day! It has a sweet message on it and I was given instructions. Give it away. Find someone who is working to keep Christmas safe, or is the only gas station open so families can travel, or is on duty 'just in case' or the like. So tonight after dinner we will go out yet again. This time to find someone who is working. Maybe a firefighter, nurse, or clerk. I will pray that God will lead us to the person who needs it. Not because its a significant amount but rather because it brings great love and appreciation.

So with the anticipation of presents in the morning, wonderful food all day, Christmas music in the background, a lit tree and fire, the best part of Christmas will still be giving. When I look back at this Christmas I know I'll remember being able to wrap presents for children in our town, giving a few gifts to church that will be given to a sweet child, giving away our Christmas jars and finding someone who is working tonight.

Tomorrow we continue the celebration of Jesus' birth. Its known as the greatest gift. It was God the Father, the one who has everything, giving to those in need. He gave me, the most needy of them all, the gift of life through Jesus Christ. How appropriate that we can give to others who also have great needs. Thats the blessing of Christmas.

Merry Christmas. Blessings.