You know, I believe it is as important how we receive a gift as that we give one. Now, by way of a story, may I show you what I mean?

Joel tells the story of a Christmas when finances were strained. There had been just enough money in the family to buy brand new bicycles for his two oldest sisters, but not enough to buy one for 7-year-old Leanne. So Dad set to work restoring an old single speed, fat-tired bike that the two older girls no longer rode. With hard work, patches and paint, the old warhorse looked almost new.

Dad figured that Leanne would recognize the old bike, but he hoped that she’d be grateful enough to have a bike of her own that she wouldn’t mind the hand-me-down. I mean after all, hand-me-downs from her sisters was [were] the norm, not the exception.

Well, now on Christmas Eve, with all the children tucked into bed, Dad commenced the late night paternal ritual of assembling the various toys and bikes. He assembled and rolled out the two new black bikes, and placed them by the tree, but when he put the old blue warhorse next to them, the contrast was stark – ah, too stark! Dad began to panic. Leanne might be too young to understand family finance problems, but she wasn’t too young to spot injustice. Dad decided he had to get another bike, no matter what the cost. A few fast phone calls were made – but it was too late; all the stores were closed.

Well, needless to say, Dad didn’t sleep well the rest of that night. Early the next morning, the children eagerly lined up from oldest to youngest while Dad in the living room got the movie camera ready.

Finally he called out, “Okay, come on in.”

The children charged into the room and transformed the beautifully wrapped packages into a mountain of paper, ribbons, and bows. The two older girls paused at the bikes and gave them a once over with due praise and admiration, and then moved on to see what else lay under the tree for them.

Leanne, however, went straight to the old blue bike and stood by it, touching every part and talking aloud.

“Look, it has new grips and new paint! – a brand new seat! Just look at those pedals, and it’s my own – my very own bike!”

Leanne didn’t seem to notice that other presents were under the tree for her. She stayed by the bike repeating the same speech of admiration over and over again, even though no one was listening – that is except Dad. Across the room Dad stood silently watching Leanne, movie camera down at his side, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks at the perfect acceptance of a less than perfect gift.

This Christmas season, I hope your acceptance of the gifts given you this week, and always, will bring satisfaction, joy and peace to the ones who thought of you.

Merry Christmas and God bless [you].