Advent 2022 – Day 8
Sunday, December 4th
The Greatest Gift of All
By J. Dean Copple/ Season of life: Senior Adult,
Director/Systems Analyst/Computer Programmer
Scripture
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
A few years ago, I had an epiphany. It was one Advent season when this thought came into my mind:
Without Christmas there would be no Easter
Jesus had to be born before he could die. Seems like such an obvious statement, but somehow it seemed profound to me. It put meaning into why we really celebrate Advent and Christmas. I was quite proud of myself for this thought, and I proudly told a church friend of mine about my thought. His response was simply…
Without Easter there would be no Christmas
Wow! That was equally profound. I was impressed. Without Easter, why would we even need to celebrate Christmas? Think about it.
When I was a boy, the rule in our house was that you would get one BIG present for Christmas from my parents. One year, I got a bicycle, one year a basketball goal, etc. My parents wanted me to appreciate that one gift instead of being showered with “stuff”. One year when I was 10 or 11, I couldn’t decide on my BIG present. I wanted a transistor radio (look it up, Gen X) to listen to Georgia Tech basketball games when I should have been asleep AND I wanted a Boy Scout camera (with film – nothing electronic back then). I agonized about it for weeks but was never really able to decide.
Christmas morning came, and I ran with my sister and brother to the Christmas tree to see what I had gotten for Christmas. The BIG presents requested by my sister and brother were under the tree, but no BIG present for me. I was crushed and heartbroken. But then I remembered that I had never really made up my mind, so really I was the one at fault. I am sure my face showed my disappointment.
After I “oohed” and “aahed” over my brother’s and sister’s BIG presents, I settled down. My mom brought me a gift to open from my grandfather, and I unwrapped it slowly. It was the transistor radio!! I was elated and ran and hugged my grandfather to tell him it was exactly what I wanted. I could hardly believe it. Then my mother handed me another gift to open from my grandmother. I didn’t really want to stop looking at my transistor radio, but I quickly opened her gift so I could get back to my transistor radio. As I unwrapped the gift, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a Boy Scout camera!! I was over the moon with excitement. I hugged my grandmother, and sat down to look at both presents. I went from no present to everything I ever wanted in just a few minutes! Unbelievable!! I was certainly filled with joy.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to be more thankful for the giver than the gift this Christmas. And thank you for the greatest gift of all, the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen
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Reflections
When was a time that you received a gift you had really been wanting?
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In what way(s) has Jesus been the greatest gift in your life?
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Lord God, may I “repeat the sounding joy” of who You are today!