In the same region there were some shepherds staying
out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood
before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were
terribly frightened. But the angel said
to them, "Do not be afraid ; for behold, I bring you good news of great
joy which will be for all the people ; for today in the city of David there has
been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11
Many years ago, I was working in
retail sales as a commission sales person for a national electronics
company. One day, during the Christmas
holiday, I was working the sales register when a young couple walked up just
beaming from ear to ear! With great
excitement, the husband hefted the nicest, most expensive, remote control truck
the company sold onto the counter. Next
to it, the wife began piling the rechargeable batteries and chargers needed for
the toy. The husband looked to his wife
and said “He is going to LOVE this truck!” to which the wife replied: “I know!
This is going to make his whole Christmas!”
With my laser wand, I began scanning
the bar codes of each item. As a
commission paid salesperson, I was thrilled as the total continued to
climb. Once everything was scanned, I
offered the extended warranty. “The
extended warranty covers this truck from top to bottom, front to back…for three
years. If your son breaks it, we fix or
replace it at no charge to you.” The
couple took only a moment, and added the extra $39.95 for the warranty…and my
heart leapt at the instant increase my check would take for the add-on
sale. Things were going well.
I struck the total key and announced
the amount needed for payment. It was
almost $300.00. The husband, still beaming, anticipating Christmas morning,
reached for his wallet. But his wife
gently placed her hand on his arm as he was about to give me the charge
card. “Honey, if you do this, we won’t
be able to afford that thing you want for your truck.” The man’s face fell. He looked at me, at his wife, and at the pile
of merchandise there on the counter.
Then he looked back at me again. “Uh. I’m afraid that we won’t be buying
this. Maybe we’ll come back for it
later.” And they walked away…with my
joy.
I was very disheartened. No, not because I lost the commission on the
sale, but because I realized then and there how I had inadvertently surrendered
the truth about Christmas. I had gotten
caught up in the money grabbing and present giving. I felt empty and sad. I really had to go home and spend some time
praying; soul searching to rediscover the true Spirit of Christmas, and
re-affirm the message of Christmas to myself.
The Lord saw to it that my check was big enough to pay for Christmas,
but more than that, he brought the joy of Christmas back to my heart and mind
again. A Savior was born! God was with us…in the form of a tiny little
baby. Amazing! Now THAT’s a gift.
The task is upon each of us to keep
Christmas in the correct perspective. We
will strive not to ridicule them who do not, but to be an example of the true
meaning of Christmas, and the example of the Christ, whose birth we
celebrate. Merry Christmas!!
Scripture to Claim:
“When they had seen this, they made known the
statement which had been told them about this Child (Jesus). And all who heard it wondered at the things
which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and
praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”
Luke 2:17-20
(Submitted by Kerry Patton)
