If you haven’t read the past two posts, about bobbles and tempters, now might be a good time to do that. It will be beneficial in what I‘m about to say as I take a bit of a right hand turn in The Story Behind the Story.

With less than a week till Christmas, most people are frantically looking for just the right presents for the people on their “to buy for” list. The other day I had a friend say to me, “I am so tired of buying presents just for the sake of buying presents!” Many of us have felt the pressure to pick up something—anything!—in a sincere desire to show that we care. But as I look at my increasing packages, I have to admit they often look like a pile of baubles!

Yesterday I sat at my computer, praying to put into words what I was feeling inside. It doesn’t relate directly to The Bridge from OneDayBow, but it does to Christmas—the genuine versus the commercial celebration this time of year. So please consider this my Christmas card to you:

It’s often said Christmas is the best time of the year.
There’s always much excitement as the day draws near.
There’s planning and preparing so all turns out just right,
In hopes the celebration will be merry and bright.

The shopping starts Black Friday, or maybe months before—
It seems each year it starts out much sooner than before.
And then with pretty wrapping, or in bags big and small,
They’re laid under the green tree—you’re hoping will not fall.

In breathless expectation we all wait for the day
The ribbons and the bows will be swiftly torn away.
But after all is finished, how much will really last?
To find out the true answer, let’s look to Christmas past.

There is just one perfect gift—He arrived on Christmas.
God knew the world was needing salvation through forgiveness.
All people had strayed like sheep from God our Creator,
And so He sent Jesus Christ as Emancipator.

From the manger to the cross, His love did not waiver,
For He came to live and die to be both Lord and Savior.
His is a gift all must choose to keep or cast away,
But never doubt its worth far more than we could ever pay.

So as you open presents, before you even start,
Consider what’s important in the depths of your heart.
And when the dust has settled, and lesser gifts are through,
Remember that the greatest gift came from God for you.