The snow was softly and quietly coming down the other morning. The need was pressing to get out and get a few Christmas gifts that I now was wishing I had not put off. Resigned to stay in, I decided to wrap some instead.
In wrapping the presents, my hope was that each selection would be perfectly suited and bring delight. I may have bought less, opting for more presence over presents. And now I was getting concerned as I wondered would it be enough?
There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less. (G.K. Chesterton)
Desiring less is no easy feat as advertising drives us to want more and more. We are being driven to update and replace even that which we already have.
And so as I wrap, my thoughts turn to remembering all that God has already blessed me with not only this past year but over the course of my life. In the remembering, the material desires decrease as my heart enlarges to make more room for Him.
“He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not hindered. He giveth all things for all things, and hath all things in all things, because he resteth in One who is high above all, from whom every good floweth and proceedeth. He looketh not for gifts, but turneth himself to the Giver above all good things.”
(from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A. Kempis)
We all look to give gifts that will surely bring delight. We long to experience the look on the faces of those we love as they receive with joy that which they have awaited.
As Christmas day approaches, the wait will soon be over. We shall awaken, open gifts, share food and laughter. But more so, we will realize once again, that we have already been given the greatest gift wrapped up in the very Giver Himself.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV)
And this Christmas morn?
May we turn ourselves to the Giver Himself.
Today I am joining .. Testimony Tuesday and #DreamTogether and #RaRaLinkup and #SmallWonder and Literacy Musing Mondays .
Beautiful words to help bring focus and clarity to the true meaning of the season! Merry Christmas!
Love Chesterton!
Thanks for these words that affirm the importance of presence over presents. Stay safe in this snowy and cold season!
This is the time of the season that I begin doubting whether I bought the “just right” gifts or that there will be enough under the tree. But then I stop and remember that the greatest gift for me is presence and it is a treasure I look forward to each year. The presence of Jesus and my family.
The words from James say it so well… every good and perfect gift is from above! Merry Christmas!
Mary, it is so true. James’ words fell so differently for me in the light of Advent this year. May you and your family be blessed in His Presence and in the company of one another. May His comfort and joy fill your hearts in a special way this year.
I struggle so much with the push and pull of desiring less and wanting more. It’s so hard to prevent being swept away with the current of more, more, more. Choosing less today, so I have more room for Him!
Me too, Becky. I think only as we prepare Him room, wait for His arrival, and then let Him fill those empty places will we keep from being swept into the tide of “more and more”. And it all begins with choosing less today. Thankful that we are making the right choice. May you and yours have a most blessed Christmas!
Lovely truths. I want Christ to be the focus of Christmas. I’m so glad for Christmas 2016. Jesus blesses me every single day.
I’m your neighbor at #DreamTogether. I love the Chesterton quote. I’m on a mission to desire less, live more simply and be satisfied with what I have. I find that’s a lot easier when I keep my gaze fixed Heavenward.
Blessings to you this Christmas season!
Jean
I struggle every year with the question of “enough” as I wrap! Thankfully, my husband has lower expectations . . .