Loading...Christmas Eve service was over, the children were sleeping, and it was time for Tom and me to play Santa. We got out the children’s gifts and placed them to our satisfaction in the area designated as theirs. As we surveyed our work, we looked at each other in horror . . . was this all we had gotten them? We were in our first year of seminary and money was scarce. Somehow we thought there was more as we (I’m ashamed to say) compared it to what the cousins were getting. Three families were celebrating Christmas at Grandmother’s house, and it was hard to miss the sizable difference in Santa’s offerings for each child.
We went to bed that Christmas Eve sick at heart anticipating our children’s disappointment. Moreover, we were sick at heart about being sick at heart. After all, we knew the true meaning of Christmas and so did our children.
Christmas morning dawned and our kids handled a sticky situation with ease and grace. We did see disappointment register on their faces momentarily until understanding settled in. Our youngest son, Drew, asked softly why the other children had received so many more presents than they had. We answered as quietly and briefly as we could. The cousins shared their new toys and all the children had a grand time.
On our way back to our seminary home, we talked to Ashley, Adam, and Drew about their Christmas morning. They actually ministered to us, and we were at peace.
As soon as we walked in the back door, our phone rang with the news of boxes that had been delivered in our absence. Tom went to pick up what we thought were household goods lost in our move from Houston the previous summer.
Our boxes were filled with wrapped presents for our kids . . . Who? What? Adults and children alike squealed with delight as we opened gifts containing winter coats, pajamas, sweat suits, shirts, and small toys. It was the Second Coming of Christmas. What a wonderful gift that was for our children to see the most Glorious Giver of all working through His people.
As I reflected on this most personal Christmas story, I realized the ministry of Presence vs. the ministry of presents. I recalled the gift of sitting in the front row at Christmas Eve Eucharist with seven children beside me, candlelight reflecting the glow on their faces. I sensed the gift of presence in the renewal and restoration of relationships among our family and friends. I recognized the gift of being present to our God, each other, our children, and our family. There was no doubt about it, the GREATEST PRESENT OF ALL IS THE GREATEST PRESENCE OF ALL, JESUS THE CHRIST.
May you experience the Presence of Jesus this Christmas,
Kim & Tom Day
This Christmas story took place in 1987, our first year in seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. Our children were ages 7,8 & 11.
Our Christmas care packages were sent unbeknownst to us by the Missions Committee, St. James Episcopal Church, Potomac, MD.
Written by Kim Day
