It is that time of year. My Christmas shopping isn't done. And it probably won't be until the Christmas eve. Honestly, I try to avoid malls this time of year. Something about the Christmas bargain fever irritates me. It is like people loose their brains this time of year, and we are overwhelmed by deals and consumerism. Christmas was never about presents, bows and the size of the boxes underneath the tree.
Beyond the malls, shoppers and general holiday craziness, I witnessed a glimpse of hope. It was one of those moments that made my heart smile; it restored my Christmas spirit. The head men's basketball coach of the school I work at is an amazing man. He has a beautiful wife and three gorgeous daughters. He received a phone call from an old friend in Kansas City on Tuesday. This friend said that God had really laid it on his heart to give him and his family a new car. Coach flew out to Kansas City, and drove home his brand new Suburban, leather seats, DVD player, all the bells and whistles car. No strings attached; just the simple generosity of an old friend. Being overcome by this generosity, Coach started to notice a couple at his church. Three young children, driving a beat up mini van. This past Sunday morning, that couple was talking on the way to church about getting a new car, one with four wheel drive. Of course money was tight, so the conversation about getting a car would have to be put on hold. Little did that couple know that Coach was going to hand over his key to his old suburban and they were going to drive home in a new car. One with four wheel drive. No strings attached. Coach and his wife didn't even know the name of the couple before they gave them this gift.
God orchestrates amazing things. Simple events that lead to huge results. A simple tugging on one person's heart lead to an amazing gift, which in turn lead to another gift. The sequence of events that will happen after that gift was given to the couple, we may never know. But I can guarantee that their holiday will have a bit more hope this year. Christmas may take on a completely different meaning.
Christmas is a time of hope. A time to remove ourselves from the craziness of our world and celebrate the birth of our Savior. It is a time to hug our family a little tighter. A time to send that extra text message to someone saying you love them. A time to find a small glimmer of hope in the future. It is a time to let the simple God orchestrated moments warm us to our inner core.
That is Christmas.
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