Here Is the Door of My Heart
Here is the door of my heart, Jesus. Please come in. You don’t even need to knock. Just call my name on the side porch and I’ll come running to open the door for you. (more…)
Mary and Joseph at the First Christmas
In the beautiful Christmas carol “Silent Night” we sing these words about the first Christmas: “All was calm, all was bright.” But the truth was: All was NOT calm. All was NOT bright. For Mary and Joseph, the first Christmas was filled with anxiety and ambiguity. (more…)
The Shooting in Connecticut
There’s been a shooting. Again. This time not at a university. Not in a parking lot. Not in a movie theater. Not in a shopping mall. This time in an elementary school—the worst possible place for a shooting. (more…)
Every Day Is Sun-Day
As we approach the shortest day of the year, it seems only appropriate to reflect on the magnificent gift we call the sun… (more…)
10 Gifts Anyone Can Afford
Here’s a list of Christmas gifts anyone can afford. Although these gifts won’t cost you a cent, they are priceless. Why? Because with each one you are giving the most precious gift of all: yourself!
1. The gift of listening. One of the greatest things we can do for others is simply to listen to them. This means we really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no becoming impatient, no planning your response. Just listen.
2. The gift of giving signs of affection. Be generous with your hugs, your kisses, your pats on the back, your smiles, your winks, your gentle squeezings of the hand. Let these small actions demonstrate your great love.
3. The gift of a note. Write notes to your loved ones and friends. Your notes can be as simple as “I love you” or a longer letter giving “50 reasons why I like you” or explaining “Why I’m glad you’re my friend.”
4. The gift of laughter. Everyone loves to laugh. Make your loved one laugh by cutting out a cartoon, passing along a joke, forwarding a funny video, copying a riddle, sharing a humorous article. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you!”
5. The gift of a game. Most people have at least one game they like to play whether it’s cards, charades, monopoly, checkers, golf, tennis, chess, or a video game. Others enjoy working jigsaw puzzles or crossword puzzles. Offer to play your loved one’s favorite game with him or her. Even if you lose, you’ll be a winner!
6. The gift of doing a favor. Do favors for the people on your Christmas list. Help with the cleaning, take someone to the doctor, run to the store for someone, empty the dishwasher, cook his favorite dish, brush off the snow on her car. This gift is more valuable when it anticipates a request rather than when it responds to one.
7. The gift of a cheerful disposition. Try to be cheerful around those you love. This means no complaining, no whining, no feeling sorry for yourself, no negative comments, no pessimistic remarks. Your gift of cheerfulness will be a precious gift for everyone–including yourself.
8. The gift of being left alone. Sometimes we want nothing more than to be left alone. Become sensitive to these times in others’ lives. Then respond by giving them the gift of solitude, of privacy, of “do not disturb,” of being left alone.
9. The gift of a compliment. Pay your loved ones compliments. A simple “You look good in blue” or “You did a great job” or “I’m proud of you” or “I like your hair that way” or “Great supper, Honey” can mean a lot to people who may feel they are being overlooked or taken for granted.
10. The gift of prayer. Take time to pray for the people on your shopping list, and then let them know you prayed for them. Praying for someone is another way of telling them, “You mean so much to me that I often talk to God about you!”
Do you have any other suggestions for precious gifts that don’t cost a cent?
