READ: MATTHEW 1: 22
For years, Virginia and I struggled with what to buy for our mommas and daddies for Christmas. What do you get older parents? They can go out and get what they want and need. Do I just buy them another tie or shirt or sweater? Every year, for 25 years, I’d ask my daddy what he wanted for Christmas, and he would always say the same thing, “What I want for Christmas is for you and Virginia to bring the girls home for me.”
But that was never enough for me. I had to buy him something. It was Christmas and you are supposed to get presents. But what was important to him was the gift that money couldn’t buy. The most precious gift to him was our presence. I understand that now. The greatest gift you can give to one another that you love is the gift of your presence. One of the greatest criticisms to be leveled at anyone is to say, “You were never there for me.” One of the greatest compliments you can pay someone is, “You were always there for me.” We sometimes are slow learners. Presence, not presents, is the most precious gift. Matthew 1:22 announces Jesus’ birth this way, “They will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” He gave us the gift of His presence.
For years, Virginia and I struggled with what to buy for our mommas and daddies for Christmas. What do you get older parents? They can go out and get what they want and need. Do I just buy them another tie or shirt or sweater? Every year, for 25 years, I’d ask my daddy what he wanted for Christmas, and he would always say the same thing, “What I want for Christmas is for you and Virginia to bring the girls home for me.”
But that was never enough for me. I had to buy him something. It was Christmas and you are supposed to get presents. But what was important to him was the gift that money couldn’t buy. The most precious gift to him was our presence. I understand that now. The greatest gift you can give to one another that you love is the gift of your presence. One of the greatest criticisms to be leveled at anyone is to say, “You were never there for me.” One of the greatest compliments you can pay someone is, “You were always there for me.” We sometimes are slow learners. Presence, not presents, is the most precious gift. Matthew 1:22 announces Jesus’ birth this way, “They will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” He gave us the gift of His presence.
– Dr. Tim Thompson