Thursday, December 16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159503498
Let Your Face Shine!
The young boy's face glowed with joy as he walked into my grandfather’s classroom that cold morning. Rarely had this poor boy from the top of the mountain seemed so excited to be in school. But this was a special day.
The boy immediately ran to the front of the classroom and presented my grandfather with an amazing gift. It was an old tin wrapped in what obviously was well used Christmas paper, tied with a faded and tattered piece of red ribbon.
After carefully removing the paper, ribbon and lid from the tin, the hidden treasure within was revealed. The tin was packed to the rim with shelled mountain walnuts. This young boy, who hardly had enough to wear, barely enough to eat, had spent hours picking up and shelling these almost-impossible-to-shell, hard, black walnuts, so that he too could bring a Christmas gift for his teacher.
Tears filled my grandfather's eyes that afternoon as he shared this story of "the most precious gift he had ever received" with my grandmother. He held out the tin and said, “Now, this is Christmas.”
Each Christmas season, from that year on, my grandfather would take a tin filled with walnuts, tie a red ribbon around it, and place it on the mantle above the fireplace for all to see; a reminder of a special Christmas gift from a special young boy.
In today’s Psalm, Israel’s prayer is for God’s face to shine among them bringing again its light of restoration and salvation. I couldn’t help but see the face of this young mountain boy as I read the Psalm. Bringers of light sounds like who we, who are so blessed in so many ways, are called to be. Give yourself this Christmas and shine a little of Jesus’ light in this world!
Kid’s Challenge
How can we be a blessing to others? It’s rather simple. What are you good at? Drawing, coloring, crafts, digging, talking, listening, writing notes, hugging, smiling, laughing…cracking nuts—whatever you are good at, share it with your friends and family today!
Advent Blessings,
Rich
This Christmas, give the gift that only you can give,
…give yourself this Christmas! (Peter Mayer)
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