Its less than a week until Christmas! Are you ready? I still have quite a bit to do, but I’m enjoying the process. 🙂
This anonymous poem went around the internet years ago. Since no one knows who wrote it, I took the liberty of changing it a just a bit to make a point for myself and my family. I hope it blesses you with a smile on your face and a pause in your heart as you continue to strive to Keep Christ AS Christmas this year.
Original author of the poem is unknown. Adaptations were made by Jennifer Walker.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Mat. 6:33 (NLT)
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The Parable of the Shopper
(author unknown)
My feet were tired, my hands cold, my arms exhausted from the weight of the packages, and it was beginning to snow. The bus was late. I kept rearranging my packages, trying to hold them in a different way in order to give my poor arms a
rest. I still remember that day as if it were yesterday, and yet fifteen years have gone by. Nevertheless, when Christmas rolls around, I remember that day on the bus….
I was tired. I had been Christmas shopping all day long. When the bus finally arrived, it was packed with holiday shoppers in the same exhausted mood as I. I sank into the only vacant place, near the back, by a handsome gentleman. He politely helped me to situate my packages and even held some of them himself.
“My goodness,” he said, “did you leave any merchandise still in the stores for the rest of us?”
“I don’t think so,” I moaned. “Worst of all, I still haven’t made all of my purchases.”
The woman in the seat behind us joined in my grief and added, “No, the worst thing is that the day after Christmas we will be carrying this same armload back to the store to exchange it.”
Her comment brought a general chuckle from all those within earshot, including my seat mate. As the laughter subsided, he began in a quiet, melodious voice, deepened with experience, to teach me a lesson that I have never forgotten:
“Hear now the parable of the shopper,” he said, speaking gently and indicating my packages. “A woman went forth to shop, and as she shopped, she carefully planned. Each child’s desires were considered. The hard-earned money was divided, and the many purchases were made with the pure joy and delight that is known only to the giver. Then the gifts were wrapped and placed lovingly under the tree. In eager anticipation she scanned each face as the gifts were opened.”
“‘What a lovely sweater,’ said the eldest daughter, ‘but I think I would prefer blue. I suppose I can exchange it?’
“‘Thank you for the cassette player, Mother. It’s just what I wanted,’ said her son. And then aside, secretly to his sister, he continued, ‘I told her I wanted the one with the automatic reverse and an extra speaker. I never get what I want!’
“The youngest child spoke out with the spoiled honesty of her age, ‘I hate rag dolls! I wanted a china doll. I won’t play with it!’ And the doll, still in the box, was kicked under the couch.”
“One gift still lay under the tree. The woman pointed it out to her husband. ‘Your gift is still there.’
“‘I’ll open it when I have the time,’ he stated. ‘I want to get this bike put together first.’
“How sad it is,” continued his soft, beautiful voice. “When gifts are not received in the same spirit they are given. To reject a thoughtful gift is to reject the loving sentiment of the giver himself. And yet, are we not all sometimes guilty of rejecting?”
He was talking not only to me, but to all of those on the bus. They had all gathered around. The bus was parked.
He took a present from my stack.
“This one,” he said, holding it up and pretending to open the card, “could be to you.” He pointed to a rough-looking, teenage boy in a worn denim jacket and pretended to read the gift card. “To you I give My life, lived perfectly, as an example so that you might see the pattern and live worthy to return and live with Me again. Merry Christmas from the Messiah.”
“This one,” he said, holding up a pure, white present, “is for you.” He held out the gift to a worn-looking woman, who in earlier years must have been a real beauty. She read the card out loud and allowed her tears to slip without shame down her painted face. “My gift to you is repentance. This Christmas I wish you to know for certain that though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Signed, your Advocate with the Father.”
“That isn’t all. No, here is a big, red package.” he looked around the group and brought a ragged, unkempt, little child forward. “This package would be for you if He were here. The card would say, ‘On this Christmas and always, My gift to you is love. From your brother, Jesus.'”
“One final gift,” said my seat mate. “The greatest of all the gifts of God–Eternal life!”
He held our minds and our hearts. We were a hungry audience. Though our shopping had left us drained, now we were being filled by his words.
“How we receive these gifts, these precious gifts from the Babe of Bethlehem, is the telling point. Are we exchangers?” he asked. “Is there really anything else we would rather have? It is what we do with a gift long after we have opened it that shows our true appreciation.”
With those words he was gone. That was fifteen years ago, only a wink in time. But not even an eternity could erase the sermon, or the man.
———————————————————–
Jennifer
There was tragedy & murder of children the year Jesus was born, too.
We don’t normally think of this part of the Christmas story… But it is true. And it “just so happened” that in my QT yesterday, The Lord reminded me of this fact. The enemy has ever been present & continues to seek to steal, kill, & destroy that Abundant Life Jesus came to give (John 10:10).
When King Herod learned from the Wise Men that a baby “King” had been born, he lied, telling them to be sure and let him know where this baby was, so that Herod could also go and worship. But like satan, Herod’s goal was to garner ALL worship for himself. He really wanted that Baby-King dead.
When the Wise Men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, jealous, paranoid King Herod calculated the possible age of the Christ-Child and ORDERED EVERY BABY BOY 2 YEARS AND YOUNGER TO BE KILLED! Can you imagine???
The grief!!! The shock!!! The torment!!! The mothers whose nursing sons were ripped from their breasts… The grieving fathers helpless to “fix” their tortured families… The brothers & sisters unable to comprehend the disappearance of their siblings, or the depth of their parents’ suffering…
“Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he’d gotten from the scholars.) That’s when Jeremiah’s sermon was fulfilled: A sound was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lament. Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace, Her children gone, dead and buried.” Matthew 2:16-18, Message (The reference for this Old Testament Prophesy is Jeremish 31:15)
… Sounds much like what the loved ones in Newtown, Connecticut {and many unnamed others around the globe} are going through this Christmas season.
Oh God, have mercy! Pour Grace! Carry with Comfort! As we focus on Your Advent – may we celebrate mostly Your next coming ~ when You will rescue us from the evil of this world and when we will live forever in Your glorious presence! You will come, Lord Jesus. We believe You. And until You do, we thank You in advance for making good on ALL of Your promises to Your people.
We love You, Jesus. We need You, Mighty Savior. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come… So be it.
“Listen to me, my people.
Hear me, Israel,
for my law will be proclaimed,
and my justice will become a light to the nations.
My mercy and justice are coming soon.
My salvation is on the way.
My strong arm will bring justice to the nations.
All distant lands will look to me
and wait in hope for my powerful arm.
Look up to the skies above,
and gaze down on the earth below.
For the skies will disappear like smoke,
and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing.
The people of the earth will die like flies,
but my salvation lasts forever.
My righteous rule will never end!
Isaiah 51:4-6 NLT
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
Keeping Christ AS Christmas 2012 – Christmas Story Alphabet Poem
My friend, Cindy, found this poem and has been posting a letter a day on her FB page. Neither of us could find it’s original source. If anyone knows it’s author, please let me know. It’s too awesome not to give credit. 🙂
It would be excellent to use for Advent. I can see it used in a garland of 26 envelopes, each with a letter of the alphabet on the outside and the stanza and verse tucked inside. Or used in an Advent drawer box with the ABC’s labeled on the outside of each drawer… It would be especially fun if each stanza and verse was printed on a strip of colorful paper, and after the envelope, box, etc. was opened, the strip joined others to make a paper Advent chain
Thanks, Cindy, for sharing this with me and the SC readers! {BTW, Cindy is a beautiful servant who “works for Our Father oversees”… if you know what I mean. I know she would covet your prayers!}
.
Christmas Story Alphabet Poem
A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.” Luke 2:13.B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2.C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7.D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32.E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?'” Matthew 2:1,2.F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11.G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13.I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” Matthew 1:24.K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation.” Zechariah 9:9.L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38.N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8.O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13.P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17.Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:14.S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21.T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10.U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23.W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Acts 10:38.Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.” John 2:17.
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
This was not the life any of them planned…
John and Elizabeth, the faithful old barren priest-couple, their dreams for a houseful of children and grandchildren dashed and destroyed as birthdays and life changes overtook them.
Joseph the obedient-bent carpenter, his dreams of the simple, predictable life of work, hearth, and home shattered when the Angel revealed that his intended was carrying the Christ-Child.
Mary, the young innocent girl with a heart full of trust, her dreams for quiet marriage and family radically altered by the Angel-visitor’s message from God.
Mary’s parents… Joseph’s parents… family members… friends… onlookers… Though they listened to the testimonies of the messages of God delivered by divine interaction with these willing servants, they didn’t understand. Neither fully did the willing servants.
This was not the life any of them had planned for themselves, nor for their loved ones.
But it was God’s plan for their lives. And because of their trusting embrace, we are all saved.
If your life has not turned out as you planned… remember this, my friends:
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
And like Mary, may we respond to the unanticipated twists and turns on this earthly soil,
“Let it be done to me according to what You have said.” (Luke 1:38)
Let It Be To Me, O Lord
(an original poem)
Let it be to me, O Lord.
I give my plans to Thee, O Lord.
Your ways are more than I can know
My life – the stage, You – the Show.
Let it be to me, O Lord.It’s You, I need to see, O Lord.
So take my dreams, my best laid plans,
And do to me just as You’ve said.
Let it be to me, O Lord.
Let it be to me.
(c) Jennifer Crawford Walker
12-11-12
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
