Terrible Gifts and Great Joy!

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,

and send some to those who have nothing prepared.

This day is holy to our Lord.

Do not grieve, for

the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

—John 15:16

When I think back on Christmases past, my most joyful memories occurred after all the presents had been unwrapped, after the garbage had been cleared and the gifts had been admired. That’s when there was singing, laughing, and lots of good food.

Mom would pile a stack of Christmas 45s on the record player, and all six of us would sing along as one disc after another dropped onto the turntable. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. And Andy Williams’ The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The most amazing aromas wafted through the house when Mom was in the kitchen. To keep us out of the way and satiate our hunger, Mom would lay out homemade Christmas cookies and celery stuffed with peanut butter or cream cheese. Occasionally, we’d be given a sip of champagne in tiny aperitif glasses. By the time dinner rolled around, a few extra seats had been added to the table for relatives who loved Mom’s cooking and dared to venture out in the western New York snow.

I know there were presents under the Christmas tree, but I don’t remember any outstanding ones—except for the Easy Bake Oven I finally received when I turned 9. The gifts must have been thoughtful though, because I can’t recall ever having to return anything—even the clothes. Nonetheless, that’s not what’s memorable, and that’s a sentiment that still rings true today.

My most joyful Christmas memories from recent years are not of the gifts I’ve opened but of the joy I’ve experienced. Singing Christmas carols in the kitchen with friends and family, sipping good (even great) wine while baking cookies and pies, and hanging Christmas ornaments that remind me of places I’ve been and people I love—these are the things that bring me joy.

Last night, my husband and I finally got around to decorating. The Christmas music played while we hung twinkling lights, placed garland on the mantle, and set up the creche. We laughed and reminisced about our favorite Christmas gifts, and the first one that popped into my head was butter. Here’s why.

For several years, Greg and I hosted a sit-down Christmas dinner for our friends. I always told them not to bring me any gifts, but they always did. One year I told a guest that “gifts” was my weakest love language. (For reference: According to The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, people express their love in one of five ways: words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, physical touch, or receiving gifts.) When it comes to gifts, I don’t care if I receive them and I’m not very good at giving them—unless I can cook or bake someone something.

Well, the next year, this friend brought a gift to the Christmas dinner and told me to open it immediately. In the bag, wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with a lovely bow was a pound of unsalted butter. I loved it! Practical. Useful. And it made me laugh.

Whatever your love language is, I pray your Christmas is marked with joy, laughter, singing, and plenty of delicious, homemade food. May you feel loved this holiday season and blessed with more of God’s presence and less actual presents. After all, the things money can’t buy are the best gifts of all.

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

—Isaiah 9:6

SHARING A FAVORITE SONG: Gifts from God by Chris Tomlin, featuring Chris Lane

Favorite lyric: “He had a bigger plan than the one you had. Yours didn't work, aren't you're glad? Every day’s a gift from God.”