By Lillian Wolff

It’s December and here in the Mid-west that generally means a lot of changes.  The days get shorter and shorter and the weatherman has been known to change the forecast every few hours.  Things are not exactly predictable.  And so I was thinking of December. Almost every month of the year has its special day or days, even if it is like April with only April Fool’s Day!!

Other than the last day of the year, there is nothing exceptional about December except for one thing!  It has CHRISTMAS.  Scholars say that Jesus was probably born in April, but I am so glad that we celebrate his birthday in December.  Otherwise December would be cold and dull without anything special. Actually, to me and many others, it is the best time of the year.

Amid the cold winters’ snap, there are bells ringing, colored lights glowing, candles lighting up the dark and Christmas trees.  Some folks, who have been like Ebenezer Scrooge all year, suddenly are able to say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”  They even develop a long, overdue compassion for the less fortunate.  Yes, it is Christmas in December- the most special time of the year!

It is also the most giving time of the year.  Stores are packed with people trying to find that very special gift. In a few weeks the toys will either be broken or discarded, as the children have become disinterested in them.  The shirt and necktie will soon be old and faded and that dress that was so beautiful has gone out of style.  These gifts just seem to fade away and lose their luster.  So we ask, “What can I give others that will remain.”  I thought of one special gift.  It is the gift of time.  How many parents, spouses, or children would just like some quality time together?

I have a very special friend who is single and has no children.  She has just two cats.  You would really have to know this lady personally to know just what a special person she is.  This past year her uncle passed away, so my friend decided that she would give her aunt a gift.  It was the Gift of Time.  She called her aunt and said that each Sunday night, she would go over to her house and spend the evening and night with her.  What a wonderful, thoughtful gift.  Money given would soon be gone, but a gift of time remains.   And, my friend is lucky enough to be able to spend more time with her favorite aunt.

And then I thought, it is Jesus’ birthday that we are celebrating.  What kind of gift should we give Him?  After all, aren’t we supposed to give gifts to those who are celebrating their birthday?  We just can’t find anything that we could ship to heaven!

But Jesus stressed the fact that the way we can give to Him is by giving to others.  He said in Matthew 25 “I was hungry and you gave me meat.  I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.  I was naked and you clothed me.  I was sick and you visited me and I was in prison and you came to me.”  “Lord”, they asked, “When did we do all these things for you?”  His response was “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

What kind of gifts are you giving to the Lord, this year?  Take what you have, your time, your resources, your compassion, your love. and give it to someone less fortunate.  That’s what Christmas in December is all about.  Let us brighten up someone else’s life.  These are the gifts that we can bring to the King!  And after all, on that very first Christmas morning,

GOD CARED ENOUGH TO GIVE HIS VERY BEST!