The Christmas Gift

We are now on the final countdown to Christmas day...a Day of wonder that commemortaes the promise for the future King. He did come, He lived among us, He died for us to make the final Sacrifice on our behalf so we may come boldly to the throne of Grace, He Rose again and is now seated at the right hand of our Father in Heaven...and is with us daily through His Holy Spirit Whom He Sent to be with us daily, every moment of every day!
 
This season can also be a challenge for families. We are often thrust together in gatherings with people who often have the knack of rubbing us the wrong way. It may be for many unspoken reasons, sometimes forgotten, sometimes harboured and wrapped in resentment. It can be challenging to be among them at a time that should be celebratory and light hearted. We all have those people or that one person in our lives, if we choose to admit it.
 
Can I be bold enough to make a small suggestion? Would it be possible to approach this potential irritation with a different attitude? I know that the holiday season often causes us to be tired and more vulnerable to being short tempered, but is it possible that we choose to give that one person a 'gift' this Christmas? I am suggesting that we give the Gift of Love to that person. It might mean closing your ears to a negative statement, or giving a hug to a porcupine, or offering Patience to someone who has none, or allowing your mother-in-law to make the gravy (and not the way you like it)... Whatever you might offer that person to make the day go just a little smoother, might end up being a gift to everyone present at your gathering.
 
By keeping in mind (and Heart) the Gift of Peace at our celebrations this year, we might start a trend to offer the same Gift to one person each day all year long. It is not that they 'deserve' it based on their behaviour, but because we are Honouring our Lord Jesus as He Came to us on this earth to offer us the Gift of Reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. We too can pass along this Gift one person at a time...sometimes with just a smile...

Merry Christmas one and all!!!