The Christmas Gift
I came to the stable at Christmas.
It was but a step.
I stood there wondering what service I had to give.
The Christ looked at me.
said He,
‘Christmas is a time of receiving’,
‘I have gifts to give you, but your hands are so full that you cannot carry them home.’
I looked down at my hands.
What He said was true; my hands were full and I could hold nothing more.
I had not known what a great load I was carrying.
, I said,
’What gifts are they? I thought to serve you,
and not to receive gifts from you.'
‘Lord’
‘I have gifts to give you that you have never known before’
said he.
‘I have this gift of peace, and this of rest, and this of a quiet mind.’
I said,
’what can I do to receive your gifts this Christmas?’
‘Lord’
‘Put down your load’
said he,
’put it here on the floor by the door post.’
And as I looked,
I saw the post formed a cross
where it met the lintel of the door.
I stooped to obey him.
It was not easy to let go of the things I held in my hands;
my fingers would scarcely loose their grip.
There was a great heavy bundle of self-will there, and other things beside.
Pride filled my hands, self importance and busyness.
I laid them there with his hand on mine as I let them go,
one by one, and heavily.
But, as I laid them down, my hands felt suddenly light and warm.
I knelt at the foot of the doorpost.
‘Open your hands’,
said he, and I laid them open in his.
, he said,
‘and receive my Christmas gifts to you . My peace, My grace, My rest.’
‘Take’
And he laid them in turn in my waiting hands.
I rose to my feet.
My hands were so light, I felt that I carried nothing.
They were so strong that I felt I could carry everything.
said he,
’for you will not need it any more.’
‘Leave your old burden here’
And I worshipped him, and went on my way singing.
Rev. Sue O’Hare (Minister)
Philip Begley: philip@caerphillymethodistchurch.org
Samuel Anstee: samuel@caerphillymethodistchurch.org
