Christmas Gifts

            Only twelve more shopping days, gentlemen!  You’d better get on it.  I’m glad to say that my shopping is done.  It’s not as easy as it used to be.  When my two sons were growing up I had a blast shopping for Christmas.  I just bought them things that I had enjoyed, or that I always wanted.  Tabletop hockey and Foosball were two of my favorites. 

            Today I have three granddaughters between the ages of 1 and 15.  I’m sorry, but I’ve had enough trouble buying for their grandma through the years. I learned early that jewelry was always the right size. But a few years ago she told me that she had all that she needed.  I’ve actually been guilty of buying kitchen equipment since that time.  I don’t buy women’s clothing at all.

            I learned that lesson early.  We’d been married a year.  I was going to buy her a nice business type suit.  Skirt, jacket, blouse…the works.  The sales lady asked me her size.  At the time I wore a 40 long jacket and 32 waist pants.  So, I estimated about a size 24.  The dear sweet lady asked me if I had a picture of my wife with me. When I showed her one of us together she replied, “I think we are talking about a size 6 or 8, sir.”  Really? Women’s clothing sizes just don’t make sense to me.

But I digress.  This shopping thing. You can become quite stressed by it. Or you can enjoy it.  I do understand better as a Papa what Jesus said. “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”  It really is.  The joy of watching those girls open their gifts is more valuable to me than anything I might receive.  I know that God is pleased when we accept the free gift of His love in His Son.  I’m so glad that God gave us such a wonderful gift. Be sure to enjoy Him during this time of year.