Records Do Fly

My mum had a record album we used to listen to every Christmas.
And it was special for a number of reasons...
Firstly it was a clever little tune that had a story about WW1 and Christmas.
Secondly, I understand it was a gift my Mum was given many years before when she was young.

Sadly this great memory, tradition and entertainment piece came to a messy end!
During a stupid argument between two very silly kids one day, this said record was used by one of them as a weapon.
I don't know why it came down to such a level? Maybe they thought if thrown properly it would decapitate the other?
I can still see in my memory the virtual video of the event.
The record seemed to twist and swirl in the air as it flew awkwardly.
It quickly sailed past one kids ducking head. And it came to rest against the wall behind them.
Needless to say, but that record didn't come out too well.
It exploded like the bombs the christmas tune it held talked about so well.

You might be wondering what happened next...
Well, you can only imagine how hard is was to tell our Mum how stupid we had been.
I have never forgotten the look on her face...

Christmas presents are not just presents!
They are in theory reflections of love and care towards another person.
They indicate someone was willing to sacrifice something financially to be a blessing to another.
We can talk about our favourite or our least favourite for hours. Most of us have those stories. But I think the fact there was a gift at all is important.
There is meaning and in time memory, because of the gift.

My Grandma gave me a Bible one year. And I was pretty slacked off about it at the time.
I wanted a toy of some kind, and preferably with a gun in the title. 
But I got a Bible.
I wondered for years why she got me one. It is not like it was ever on my Christmas wish list.
Now, exactly 33 years later, I have it sitting on my desk beside as I type these thoughts.
I have often wondered if she ever dreamed about how much an impact it would have on my life?
I mean, it was just a present...

When Jesus was born...there were presents. To some they were strange items to give.
They had meaning and purpose.
When Jesus was born...He was also the gift. To some it seemed the most strange thing for God to give.
This special gift had meaning and purpose.
And here you are a long time after you were born...and you also are gift!

I kind of feel not to wrap this up with some tidy little conclusion for you...
My heart is that something in what I have said stirs something inside you a little.
That you let God lead your heart and thoughts. Then you would act on what he might show you.
And in that way, you will probably have a better chance of making this a very special Christmas indeed.

Something to think about...this Christmas!