Psalm 24
Isaiah 40:1-11

It was a Christmas in the early to mid 1960s and in the corner of the living room stood the Meier family Christmas tree. Attracting the most attention that year was the seven foot tall box wrapped in brown paper with a gingerbread man drawn on it. Noticeably absent from the package was a card! The gift presented a great mystery as neither the recipient(s) nor the giver were identified. As Christmas drew near the anticipation grew with each passing day.

On Christmas morning the mystery package was the last one to be opened. It was then revealed that the gift was for all of the Meier children, from their father’s brother, Uncle John. At the appointed time my brother, two older sisters and I tore into the box and to our great surprise we found a toboggan. It was a great gift for children living in New Jersey, in an area accustomed to having lots of snow.

As soon as the first snowfall came, we went to the sledding hill in our hometown of Westfield. We went tobogganing with my brother and sisters in front of me. Being the youngest, I was always at the back! It was a long climb up the hill, and a short thrilling ride down. Everybody was looking at the Meier family toboggan. Our father would sometimes go along with us, but our mother stayed behind to prepare the hot chocolate to warm us up after many rides down the hill.

This was my most memorable gift for two reasons. First, the anticipation that built day after day as we wondered whose gift this was. Second, it was a gift that my brother, sisters and I shared that brought us hours of enjoyment.

~ Sarah Rennie

Prayer

Wonderful God, it has been said that good things come in small packages. It is also true that they come in big ones too! We thank You for anticipation that builds as we wait to unwrap our gifts. We thank You for gifts received that our whole families may enjoy. Help us to enjoy each other’s company this Christmas so that we will make memories that will warm our hearts for years to come. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.