Saturday, December 24, 2011

The Angels Sang Anyway

Several Sunday mornings ago I was standing with my friend Kelli in a hallway of our church. People moved carefully around one another in the small space making their way to worship. Out of nowhere I hear, "Mrs. Kelli!!!!!" I looked and one of the sweetest little girls I have ever known was running through that crowd with a crinkled gift bag extended as far as her little arm could reach. Her face was beaming and excitement radiated all around her. She half crashed into Kelli with the present, not saying a word. Inside was a book and a fluffy stuffed bear - a gift for Baby Reeves (due May 2012). Kelli was so touched and thrilled to receive one of her first baby gifts, but nothing compared to that little girl who was elated with the joy of giving. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that God loves a cheerful giver. I know why now. I was washed with the warmest happy just to have watched the exchange. How pleased the Lord must have been with that sweet heart.

As if that wasn't enough, as the little girl and her family started to walk away her dad said, "She bought that with her own money; saved and bought it herself." Of course, Kelli was immediately in tears. Such a big sacrifice for such a small girl, yet she didn't see it as sacrifice at all, instead she had been carrying the bag with her (hence the crinkles) waiting for the moment she could give it away.

Many years ago, angels sang the joy of our Heavenly Father as He watched the world unwrap the gift of His Son. What a gift! On that day God also saw the cross and knew the weight of the sacrifice, but the angels, God's messengers, sang anyway. What a good God! The most cheerful Giver! Not only did He give us His Son so that we may be saved and have a relationship with Him, but He wrapped that gift in ribbon of song and delight. We celebrate Christmas in the shadow of the cross with smiles on our faces because God declared it good. May we cheerfully give because we have been so graciously and cheerfully given too. May our hearts and lips be full of praise like the angels who sang so loudly, on a night so often called silent, "Glory to God in the Highest!"


Merry Christmas!