Tip of My Iceberg

Thirty-two people, young and old, were jammed into our family room Christmas morning. This is our immediate family, and the noise level rivaled that of an open-air market place.

My husband, who is a gentle jolly sort, had purchased a Santa outfit two years ago. He brought it out and loved on the littles this Christmas.

As can be expected, there were different responses to his appearance with a “Ho, ho, ho”. The older kids knew it was Papa, and smiled with that older sense of tolerance of adults playacting. They understood it was for the younger kids. Some of the younger ones looked on with questioning eyes, knowing it probably wasn’t Santa, but not fully sure. The younger ones were filled with delight that Santa had stopped by on his way back to the North Pole just to say hello.

And then there was not-quite-three-year-old Kolly who was terrified by the man in red with a big beard that didn’t look anything like her Papa.

John didn’t last long in his outfit. It wasn’t the most comfortable costume to wear. When he came back out as himself, one of the grands stared, trying to be wise about who they were really seeing.

Christmas has that diverse impact for many people. There are those who approach the holiday with a measured tolerance, getting through the buying and gifting and celebrating with effort, not quite enjoying it, yet not ignoring it either. There are those who, like fearful Kolly, are just bothered by the fuss and bother of people focused on the birth of a Baby who came to save the world. They’re a bit like the Grinch, with a sense of repulsion over why people make it something they don’t agree with.

Then there are those who are filled with awe and wonder that this is a celebration of One who loved us so much that He gave His best for our worst. That God could love us enough that He sent His One and Only Son to pay a penalty we should have paid ourselves. Love caused Him to step into the space of condemnation for us so we wouldn’t have to. Jesus is the light to the darkness that fills the world.

“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:4-5.

The gift of love and redemption given at Christmas can’t be used up, thrown away, or be held back from anyone who chooses to receive it. It truly is the only gift that keeps on giving–all through eternity.

The hoopla is now over–for another year. People will be returning things they didn’t like or are disappointed with. The awe of what was received will wear off within days, and kids will already be bored with gifts they’d wanted for ages.

But the gift of hope, life, love, and forgiveness in Jesus doesn’t end.

It’s the gift that’s waiting to be received.

The only real gift that lasts.