Christmas Gift

Christmas Gift A mother looks into the eyes of her little girl, Seeing the sadness and confusion she asked” what’s wrong?” “What weighs so heavily on your mind child?” The little girl replied “we have no food, and it is cold, my jacket is torn and my shoes have holes.” Momma why don’t I have the same things as the other kids have? Her momma said to her are you loved by Jesus? Are you surrounded by faith and guidance do you have safety? The little girl did not know where her mother was going with these questions what do they have to do with me she thought? The little girl replied “yes, I have all that!” But momma what about me? A few days passed by and her mother wanted to show her little girl that life wasn’t about material things nor was it about money. Life was more than that, life is a journey we all must walk and we all must see the hurt and pain that others suffer from. Christmas Eve night rolled around and the little girl and her momma attended the church service. The little girl still confused and feeling down noticed a little boy who was sad. She wanted so badly to go over and say hello but what would she say after that? The preacher took stage and started speaking of the love Jesus has for us in his heart, how no matter where you are at he sees you and is walking beside you. The preacher spoke of the treasures that heaven has for you. What really grabbed the little girl’s attention was when the preacher said, “Money and material things are left behind when we die, we are judged by our works, our kindness and love that we spread to the less fortunate. Giving of ourselves is what matters in the end. “The little girl so badly wanted to say hi but she was to shy and before she knew it the little boy had left. On the way home that night the little girl said momma did you see the little boy in the front row who was upset on Christmas Eve? Her momma paused and said “no”! I wish I would have done something to make him feel better. Her momma said do not worry child God will hold him tight and protect him through the night. Christmas arrived early the next morning and there was only one present under the tree. The little girl ran over opened it up and it was a new stuffed animal. He was big, brown and fuzzy she knew it wasn’t much but knew her momma did what she could. The little girl went and got dressed and they went to church for the Christmas service. The little girl saw the boy sitting in the front row still upset. She walked up and sat next to him with her Christmas bear in tow. She leaned over and “whispered hi, my name is joy what’s your? He whispered back Tommy. What’s wrong she asked him? Santa did not come to my house I had no presents under the tree. Tommy was about 4 and Joy had just turned 8. Joy remembered what her momma had been saying all week and thought about what the preacher had said to her the night before. Even though Joy did not have much either she knew the love from her momma was all she needed. She knew that Jesus would protect her through the night and would be there to hold her hand when times got tough. Joy looked down and said to Tommy I know it isn’t much but I want you to have my Christmas bear. Joy ran back to see her momma, Joy where is the bear Santa left for you?” Joy was not sure how her momma would react but said I gave it to the little boy I told you about. Santa did not leave him anything. Joy said “momma I understand life isn’t about material things or money. I gave Tommy my Christmas bear because he was upset and I wanted to make him feel better. I only did what the preacher said god wanted me to do. I gave of myself and made a difference. That is the best Christmas present.