revlanc@bellsouth.net
Christmas Presents Or Presence
“You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your Presence.”
Acts 2:28
When I was a child the week before Christmas was very exciting. Our house was decorated beautifully and we spent time with family and friends. On Christmas Eve I can remember being so anxious for Santa to come and bring gifts.
Bedtime would come and my parents would tell us that we had better go to bed so that Santa could visit or else we would not have a Christmas. We would hurry to bed but try to stay awake to hear something so that we could catch a glimpse of this jolly old man who somehow managed to keep all the children of the world’s addresses and requests in order and make his entire trip in one night.
Of course, we always fell fast asleep so we never did ever see anything or anyone. All we knew was that when we went to bed there was nothing under the tree and when we woke up there were beautifully wrapped presents everywhere. What fun we had opening them. We squealed with delight as we got things that we had put on our letter to Santa.
As the years went by we obviously found Santa to be a figment of our imagination but still found the holiday season to be delightful. Instead of waiting for Christmas morning we began a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve and we waited all day with anticipation for that moment. The excitement made me queasy every year for as long as I can remember.
As my siblings and I got married and had children we found great joy in the thought that “Christmas is for kids.” We never forgot to give honor and reverence to Jesus Christ, but our joy came from the children’s response to the gifts.
Something changed when my husband and son and I moved away from our family. We made trips back at Christmas and though the journey was long it seemed that our focus changed from Christmas presents to being in the presence of those who we love. I look back on our Christmas travels. They were very special times. Yes, we made sure that the children had presents and we gave gifts that were tokens of our love but the focus had shifted once again. Spending time with our loved ones celebrating the birth of Jesus was a priceless gift to us.
Then several years ago illness began to plague me and we were blessed to have my parents come to live near us. We no longer make the long journeys home and our son gets to have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home. We never tried to sell him on Santa Claus and have tried to instill in him the real meaning of the season.
I no longer feel the anticipation that I once felt about the holidays. To be honest what I have felt recently has been pressure and some discouragement, as I cannot do many of the things I once did, things that I thought made Christmas special. The focus now stopped being about presents and instead about presence…people’s presence in our lives and our presence in theirs, and above all else it has come down to sensing a Christmas Presence of peace and love that can only come from Jesus.
I no longer make a Christmas list because the things that I desire cannot be purchased with money. I am content with what I have and the only thing that I desire is that sense of wonder and awe I felt as a child not for Santa, but for My Heavenly Father. When you think about it in some ways He parallels Santa. He knows all of His children by name. He knows the desires of our hearts and has the ability to visit each of us simultaneously. He does not leave gifts that are perishable but if we will look for Him He will leave something that is priceless…His Presence in our midst.
I do not need anything else for my life. Things no longer make me happy, and lets face it we cannot look to people for a sense of joy. But His Presence during this holiday season is something that I am in need of and deeply longing for.
You might ask why God’s Presence is so important to me. Well, the Bible says that in His Presence is fullness of joy. In His Presence there is rest. In His Presence is peace of mind, hope, and renewal. Most of all in His Presence is a love deeper than the love of even family and friends. I guess you can see why I have stopped asking for Christmas presents and instead am asking for Christmas Presence instead.
Perhaps you feel the same way today. You may be weary and worn and even hurting deep inside. The pile of presents are there before you but you find no joy, peace, hope, or love. What you need is to take your eyes off those presents and instead put your eyes on God’s Presence, which He has promised to you even now. He will not withhold any good thing from you…and having His Presence in your life is the best gift you will ever receive.
Copyright 2004 by Melinda Lancaster
