The Case of the Unopened Gifts
“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” ~ C.S. Lewis
CK: Good morning, Papa. ❤️
Papa: Good morning, Sunshine. ❤️
CK: Sunshine?
Papa: You brighten my day with warmth and love.
CK: Happy to oblige. We could use a little warmth and sunshine down here, too. It is freezin’! 😊 But inside my heart, Your love warms me, too. ❤️
Papa: I wish all my children could find me as approachable as you.
CK: You know, Papa, I’ve been thinking about that lately and about how it all started. Growing up, mom did the very best she could for Henry and me. We didn’t have a lot, but we didn’t feel deprived, either. Well, I should speak for myself. Henry would complain, and mom would tell him to get a job. I tell ya, grandma spent some serious knee time on that kid. Her praying is the only thing that kept him out of serious trouble.
Where I was going with all this, is that although mom did her best, she wasn’t dad. I really don’t remember much about dad except what my mom told me. She said when I was born, he would just hold me and stare at me, telling me what a pretty little girl I was and giving me advice for when I grew up. I think he knew his time with us was growing short.
As I was growing up, I realized how much I missed out on not having a dad. Even when my friends complained about something their dads said or did, I just wished I had a dad around to care. I wonder what could have been if dad would have lived, which is why I think I was drawn to you, Papa. I guess that is why I find you approachable. You were the father I needed. ❤️ Besides, You totally get me. 😊
Papa: 😊
CK: So in one way, even though I didn’t have my earthly dad to help me and guide me, I was even more blessed to have the perfect dad in You. Funny how life works out. I guess if Your children knew You like I do, they would find You very approachable, too.
Speaking of children, George, the class clown in my 10th-grade religion class, can’t seem to get serious about anything. Last class, he wanted to know if You have a naughty and nice list and if Your angels do the same job as Santa’s elves. I told him I would ask. I didn’t want to do down that rabbit hole. Sorry, Papa, I have been rambling.
Papa: I love to listen to your ramblings. But actually, George brings up a good point. Saint Nick judges whether one is worthy of gifts. He puts conditions on whether one receives gifts or “charcoal”. My love is unconditional. Besides, My angels have more important work to do than keeping naughty and nice lists.
CK: Why didn’t I think of that? Anyway, You were saying?
Papa: I was talking about the unconditional love I have for every child. The thing is, gifts are never really experienced unless they are unwrapped – let out of the box, so to speak. The most important thing about all My gifts is that love is at the core of each and every one. For example, let us look at the four virtues of Advent – all gifts to be opened. We have already discussed love. How about the gift of hope?
CK: Where would we be without hope in this world? You have taught me the difference between the divine and human perspectives of life. Your perspective gives me much hope for the future. And since Your hope for Your creation is powered by Your love, hope is the confidence to know that you are working behind the scenes, on our behalf.
Papa: Excellent! And the gift of joy?
CK: For me, I think joy is found in gratitude for all You are in my life. I am thankful for Tom, little Miss Lilly, mom, all my friends, and even Henry (now that he is finally grown up). It’s like I am surrounded by Your love lived out in the lives of others. They truly bring joy to my life.
I think another way of knowing joy is that we are able to enjoy and celebrate the happiness of others, like when one goes to a wedding of two people you just know were handpicked for each other by You. I guess for me, true joy is deep and penetrating and fills one’s heart with Your love.
Papa: Beautiful. And peace?
CK: Your peace is not dependent on a lack of fear or the absence of conflict. But it comes from trusting in Your power and Your grace and Your love to get us through whatever is happening in our lives. I feel a sense of calm inside knowing You are with me. It’s kind of like the security blanket that Linus Van Pelt drags around.
Papa: You are comparing me to Linus’s blanket? 😊
CK: You know what I mean, Papa. 😊
Papa: I do. 😊 All these virtues are the gifts I offer. And what do you think is the greatest gift I have ever given to My children?
CK: The One found in a manger. A babe born of humble beginnings who taught love, forgiveness, and mercy, who healed bodies, minds, and spirits. Jesus is the epitome of your unconditional love for Your children. He gave his life for this unruly lot. How much more could You possibly do? I just don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want Your gift of love.
Papa: Some simply do not know me or trust me for a whole variety of reasons, and that is why my love is unconditional. I understand why my children think and act and feel the way they do. And it breaks my heart to see them suffer needlessly because of their own choices or the choices of others. They are afraid to open their hearts to me, and consequently, unwilling or unable to open the gifts I have waiting for them.
CK: It breaks my heart too, Papa. I am so, so sorry. But what can we do?
Papa: Simply love one another as I have loved you. Love with all your heart. Allow my love to fill you to overflowing, and it will touch all you come in contact with.
CK: That I can strive to do. You know the ironic thing about love is the more you love, the more love enters your life in return.
Papa: Very astute!
CK: Thank you, Papa, for everything: for the hope, the love, the joy, and the peace you have brought to my life. Help me to love like You, Papa.
Papa: You already do, in so many ways. You may never know the number of hearts you touch, but I do and for that love, I am so very grateful! Maybe you should write a book about our love story someday. 😊 I think that would be a great way to share my love. 😊
CK: Already on it. 😊 I love you, Papa. ❤️ Say hi to dad for me.
Papa: Tell him yourself. He is right here.
CK: Hi dad. I love you and I can’t wait to meet you face-to-face someday.❤️
Dad: I love you, too, my dearest Katie. ❤️ Have a blessed Christmas celebration. Say hi to your mom for me and tell her I love her.
CK: I will Dad. ❤️ I will.
Points to Ponder: Hope and joy and peace would not exist without love. Without love, nothing would exist. Have I accepted the gift of God’s unconditional love? Why or why not?
Challenge: Practice loving like God loves and watch what happens. Keep a journal. It can be quite revealing… in good ways. 😊
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John:45