FEBRUARY 25, 2 Corinthians 8:5

Imagine this situation: very early on Christmas morning, Mark jumped out of bed, slipped on some clothes, and went out into the hall where he tapped lightly on his sister’s door. Betsy quickly opened it, took a huge decorated cardboard box from her closet, and together they went down the stairs. “Are you sure this isn’t a dumb idea?” whispered Mark as they went out the front door.

“Mom and Dad will love it,” Betsy assured him. She lifted the cover off the box, and Mark stepped inside. Then Betsy handed him an assortment of signs. “I’m your errand boy,” read one. “I’ll clean Timmy’s room this month besides my own,” read another. “I’ll clean the kitchen,” read a third. Mark put these, with several others, in a corner of the box. Betsy put the cover on the box, and she put a large red bow on the top.

“Sure hope the neighbours aren’t up yet.” Mark’s muffled voice came through the air holes as Betsy rang the doorbell. He heard the loud, persistent ring as she pushed the button again and again. Then he heard the door closed as Betsy disappeared inside the house.

Soon the door opened again, and Mark heard Dad’s surprised voice. “Well! What have we here? Mother!” he called. “Come quickly! I believe a present has arrived for us.” In no time, Mother was there and the box was opened.

“Here I am… Blessed Christmas!” called Mark when they saw him. He handed them the signs. “I… ah… well, I decided to give you myself this Christmas,” he said. “These are just some of the things I can do for you. I… I hope you like your present.”

There were tears in Mother’s eyes as she hugged him. Dad spoke for them both. “We love it!” he said. “We really, really love it.”

Thought: Do you think about the fact that God gave His very best for you? What have you given Him in return? What He wants most of all is the gift of yourself. Will you give that gift to Him? Only then can He use your talents, time and service.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, even though it is not Christmas now, I thank You for it; without Christmas, we would not have salvation; without Christmas, we would not be what we are today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.