What am I wearing to the office Christmas party this year?
The family get-together?
Or for that group event of intimidating strangers?
Have I thought about what is appropriate?
Same thing as last year with a different sweater?
Who will be there?
And what gifts will I bear?
A chip on my shoulder?
The same grudge I always bring?
A perennial bad attitude?
A wristwatch so I can skip out early?
A tote bulging with excuses?
Am I going with a mindset of
what am I going to get?
Do I dress to impress?
Or do I come prepared with
a plateful of appetizing words.
an eye that seeks out
that person standing alone,
a humble heart that remembers
to ask about someone's elderly mom
or a child's achievement,
or even a pet recovering?
Do I bear an impossible peace,
quick ears,
a slow mouth,
and gracious questions?
Do I talk about
me
or ask about
you?
Needs loom huge and unrecognized,
decorating the room
with gaping wounds
and shrapnel of innumerable battles.
Have I thought about how to personalize
not a gift
but a conversation?
Have I really considered how to love someone
chatting at a party?
Or embrace a divine appointment with a stranger?
Oversize items
and problems
typically take longer to deliver
and sometimes require special handling.
So does love.
An advertisement today said,
"Find that unexpected gift
for the person who already
has everything."
And that would be grace,
unexpected, undeserved
and appropriate for any occasion.
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver.
Proverbs 25.11
What am I wearing?
What am I bearing?
Come prepared.
Come bearing gifts.
A fruit basket is always in great demand,
never out of style.
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control.
Galatians 5. 22-23
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