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Topic: Christmas Gifts (11/13/08)
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TITLE: A Gift Refused | Previous Challenge Entry
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11/16/08 -
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It was Christmas Eve and Ned and Betty’s dining table was elaborately furnished with dainties. The gaily decorated Christmas tree stood in the corner of the lounge section of the room. There were no gifts at the tree for Santa had not yet been. The lounge/dining room was festooned with brightly coloured decorations. Everything was very festive and friends dropped in to celebrate.
Mr and Mrs Liquorice were first to arrive her naturally white hair was coloured in streaks of orange and green to match her new evening gown. They stayed just long enough to enjoy a drink and a brief chat with their hosts and then on to the Christmas Ball.
As they left, Ernie and his lady arrived arrayed in their finery as well. They were also on their way to the Christmas Ball in the city hall. Ernie and Joan were old friends and lingered longer chewing the fat over past Christmases. While they were there the father and brother of Felix, Ned’s current apprentice jockey, dropped in for a free drink. The brother had already imbibed too much and soon became cantankerous calling Betty by a few rude names. Ned stood to his feet indignant, “You’ll take that back and apologise or you’ll have me to deal with,” he cried.
“Which army will help you?” The brother replied.
At that Ernie stood to his feet, being younger than Ned, “I will.” A scuffle ensued and the father and brother were thrown out of the house. There was blood on Ernie’s White Tuxedo which Betty tearfully cleaned, thanking him for his defence of her honour.
Once all was settled again the festivities continued and Ernie and Joan went on to the ball.
On Christmas day, Felix came to the house. He had exercised, cleaned and fed the thoroughbreds as always. His arms were full of beautifully wrapped gifts which he had bought for the family.
“I know you had nothing to do with last night’s furore, but I have decided to approach the Jockey Club to find you a new trainer as a result. Because of this I’m afraid we cannot accept your gifts,” Ned told him.
Christmas was really spoiled for all of us.
Often at Christmas I recall this incident and wonder. Our family were only Christians in name at that time and I was just a child. It may have been different if we had really known the Christ.
As I ponder this occasion once more I think of the great number of people that I have met over the years whose refusal to accept God’s great gift at Christmas is based on some tragedy that happened in their lives. A loved one killed in an accident at Christmas caused by a drunken driver, or one who died of an incurable disease, or another who was imprisoned for a crime he committed.
Why didn’t God stop all these things happening? I am not able to answer every specific case not knowing the detailed facts, but I can say that the God of the Bible is not someone who wishes evil on anyone. Jesus said, “The thief only comes to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I have come to give to each of you and full and satisfying life.” Peter telling of the results of God’s gift at Christmas in the home of Cornelius said, “Remember, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power, he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil.”
God’s great gift at Christmas was His only true son Jesus the Christ, who demonstrated what God wanted for us and then gave his life on the cross for us. Ned and Betty’s family did not gain any benefits from Felix’s gifts because they refused them. In fact they never ever knew what they had missed.
You too will never know the benefits of Gods great Christmas gift if you refuse it. Why don’t you “taste and see that the Lord is good”. Although God’s gift was given over two thousand years ago each of us can still receive the gift and its benefits today. Make room in your life for Jesus today and receive the gift of life.
709 Words
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