And don’t
forget to do good and to share with those in need.
These are
the sacrifices that please God.
~ Hebrews 13:16, NLT
“Christmas is
almost here,” Gloria sighed, “and I haven’t bought a single gift! Everyone has
everything they could ever want or need. What could I possibly give them?”
“Really!?” Nancy
said to her friend. “With all those store shelves overflowing with everything imaginable,
you can’t find one single gift for anyone?”
“Well,”
Gloria protested, “What could I give momma? I’ve wracked my brain and can’t
come up with a single thing. She has all kinds of necklaces, and bracelets, and
rings. So I can’t give her jewelry. She’s got a closet full of clothes and
shoes, so there’s no use buying her those. And she’s got bookshelves bursting
with books she still hasn’t read. So I can’t buy her any more books. Can you
see my dilemma, now?”
There was
silence for a moment, while Nancy considered this.
Undeterred, Gloria
continued with her rant. “Then there’s my sister, Carrie, and brother, Larry,
and all my cousins. They’ll come bearing a bunch of presents Christmas day, and
I haven’t the foggiest notion what to get any of them. I’ve got to get them all
something! I’d like to find just the right gifts for each one, if I could just
figure out what that might be. I do love receiving presents, but I sure hate
giving them!” she finished in a huff.
“Well!” said
Gloria’s grandmother, who’d been listening in on the girls’ conversation. “When
I was your age, I was happy to get any Christmas presents. My family was going
through a difficult time, and there wasn’t much money to spend on gifts.
I remember getting a Christmas stocking with a single orange and a few pieces
of candy, and I was perfectly happy.”
“It would be
a whole lot simpler if that were my problem,” Gloria sighed, “I’ve a list full of
people with more than they know what to do with, but I still have to find them a
gift they’ll absolutely love.”
“Didn’t they
appreciate the presents you bought them last year?” Grandma asked.
“No, I don’t really
think so. At least I could tell Auntie Susy didn’t care that much for the ring
I gave her. And I tried so hard to find something really nice to give her
because she always buys me such a lovely present each year.”
“Well, if you
want someone who’ll appreciate your efforts, I know of several needy families
who’d be easy to please and delighted to receive whatever gifts you gave them.”
Nancy piped
in enthusiastically “Now, that’s a wonderful idea! Don’t you think so, Gloria?”
Gloria
pondered this for a minute. “Yeah, that sounds like a lot more fun and a very
worthy cause, too,” she agreed. “Who are these needy people, grandma?”
“Yes, please
tell us!” Nancy chimed in. “I’d love to buy them some gifts, too.”
“Well, there
are families from our church who wouldn’t turn up their noses at any gifts you
gave them,” Grandma said. “For instance, you know Carla, right?”
“Of course,
grandma, she’s one of our friends from Sunday school.”
“Well, her
father recently lost his job and her mother’s too sick to work. They barely
have enough money to put food on the table, let alone buy a turkey and all the
trimmings for Christmas dinner. They certainly won’t be able to afford a nice
present for Carla this year.”
“Oh, no,
that’s terrible!” Gloria said.
“Perhaps you
girls could put together a nice Christmas hamper for them and buy a little gift
for Carla?” Grandma said.
“Yes, that’s
a wonderful idea, grandma,” Gloria said. “We could buy them a turkey and
potatoes and canned vegetables and crackers …” Gloria counted these items off
on her fingers.
“But you
mentioned there were several families who could use gifts,” Nancy broke in. “Who
else could we buy presents for?”
“Well,
there’s a single mother with a little girl who was telling me she doesn’t know
where she’ll find money to buy a tree, decorations, or presents this year.
Perhaps you could purchase a small tree, a few ornaments, and some little gifts
for them.”
“Oh, I’d love
that, grandma!” Gloria cried. “I’ve never bought a Christmas tree before. Could
we go buy one right now before they’re all picked over, please?”
“Well, hold
on just a minute,” said Grandma. “If you girls go ahead and do this, will you
still have enough money left over to buy some nice presents for your family?”
“Yes, I think
so, Grandma,” Gloria said. “And I really, really do want to buy some nice
presents for these needy people.”
“And I have
quite a lot of money saved up to help out, too,” offered Nancy.
“Well, I’ve a
few dollars tucked away that I could contribute to such a charitable cause,”
said Grandma, “so let’s go shopping this afternoon.”
The two girls
jumped up and down and clapped their hands with glee.
Grandma’s
heart was gladdened by the girls’ generosity. “I’m so proud of you girls!
Instead of wasting your money on extravagant and frivolous gifts, you’ll be
purchasing something that’s really needed. These people will be so grateful for
such gracious gifts given out of the goodness of your hearts. And I know Jesus
will be very pleased, too, that you remembered the poor and needy on His
birthday.”
