The Gift of Love

by Shantell Cannon

The holiday season stirs up so many happy memories. Memories of Christmas morning: my daddy yelling, “Redddd, put some slippers on yo’ feet, lil girl,” as I eagerly raced across the wooden floors. The house was warmed with wall heaters, leaving the floors with that cool but welcoming feeling of winter on my bare feet... Racing to the Christmas tree that twinkled with multi-colored lights, handmade ornaments from each of us, and the few striped candy canes that actually survived until Christmas day... The strong smell of coffee brewing for my daddy and the sweet smells of cinnamon, butter and nutmeg from French toast flowed throughout the house… The little Christmas tree almost overtaken with the mountain of neatly wrapped gifts — hopefully filled with all the things my sister and I had circled in the Sear’s Christmas catalog.

Back then — at least in that moment — life seemed simple and good. I guess life always seems “simple and good” ... until it’s not.

Who would have ever thought we’d long for the “simple” days of figuring out which family member is hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, “accidentally” forgetting to tell your vegan cousin to bring her signature dish, remembering to book flights for the kids coming home, and telling your one auntie that family dinner starts an hour earlier because you know she’ll be even later than your normal “CP” starting time? Even the crazy Black Friday Walmart fights will be missed this year. Yes, in the midst of COVID-19, holiday preparation is anything but simple. Stay home. Eat with those in your “bubble” (if anyone). Fly your kids from college in full hazmat suits. Spend your day dressed up on Zoom and at drive-by parties. And, of course the excitement of Black Friday shopping has been watered down to an evening with Amazon Prime in your winter PJ’s and a glass of red wine. Madness!

What kind of Christmas miracle could possibly create the calm, peace, and joy we all so desperately, desperately long for in the midst of this cold, bitter climate of COVID-19, racism, economic disparity... and the list goes on? What gift has God challenged us to bring and receive during this difficult Christmas season?

Perhaps we find the answer in remembering another woman who had her simple life turned upside down. We all know the beautiful, but tumultuous Christmas story of a young virgin girl bringing life into a very difficult situation – and the ultimate GIFT OF LOVE she would bear the responsibility of bringing into the world. (Matthew 1 and 2).

Perhaps during this very difficult season, our answer is the same: THE GIFT OF LOVE. It’s the gift that needs no special packaging or shipping instructions. It’s identifiable without a bow, expensive department store wrapping, or a label. “It is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Love is one-of-a-kind, and the perfect gift for any holiday. So where do we get it? Whose wish list do I place it on? What store, what website, what beauty shop hustler do I buy it from? The good news is it’s in your budget. It’s not a seasonal item and it’s not in limited supply. No “ONE PER CUSTOMER” signs hang here. We just need to open our eyes to recognize this beautiful gift — whether it comes in the form of a baby cooing; the wagging of a puppy’s tail, the beauty of a sunrise, a sunflower, the smell of hot chocolate being made, the glimpse of a rainbow, the camaraderie of four old cats shooting the breeze about the good ole days, a wave from a stranger, a good “shoutin’, foot stumpin’, hand wavin’, soul stirrin’” Sunday sermon, the smell of mama’s gumbo cooking, the hysterical laughter of children playing, the sound of Al Green playing on a cool Saturday morning, dropping off dinner to a sick friend, the coolness of the ocean breeze, the kindness of a youngster assisting you in the store, or the comfort of grandma’s prayer.

Are you willing to receive it? Are you willing to give it?

Take it! Unwrap it with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning — without fear, judgment, rigid guidelines or preconceived notions. Unwrap it, take it all in, and most of all, share it! The beauty of this gift is that the more you share, the more of it you will have. It’s a well that never runs dry, a stream that consistently flows.

It must have been unimaginably frightening for young Mary to answer the call to be the vessel to receive and give such a gift to the world. That same call to give and receive the gift of LOVE presents itself to us now, in the midst of these crazy, tumultuous times.

Will we answer the call?

Love is the GIFT... GIVE IT. RECEIVE IT.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”