’Tis the season for giving and receiving

This is the season of gift giving and gift receiving. For Christians, the greatest gift we have received from God is Jesus Christ. What can we give to God?

Another Biblical gift from God was given to King Solomon. God said to Solomon, “Ask what I shall give you.” Solomon replied, “Give thy servant a hearing heart to govern your people.”

The 20th-century rabbi, Abraham Heschel, wrote that he too heard God saying to him, “What shall I give you?” He replied, “Give me the gift of wonder.” He wrote that, when we take things for granted, including the natural world all around us, we are missing out on the gift of wonder that offers us experiences of “radical amazement.”

I believe as the prophet Isaiah foretold, that “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on the wings like eagles.” I believe we can fly high above many things in this world that try to ground us.

Annually in Northwest Arkansas, we can experience the power of this truth by watching the eagles fly as they pause here during their annual migration. We can wonder and live with these moments of radical amazement — gifts from God.

My own time of radical amazement occurred one winter day when I was thigh deep in White River fly fishing. I heard a soft swishing of wings behind me and, then in front of me, only a few feet away was a large bald eagle that suddenly dipped down into the water and then flew up higher and higher with a fish. In only moments, the eagle came, fished and then flew effortlessly out of sight, also taking with him my heart, soul, and my imagination. I knew I had been blessed with a moment in time that still lives in me.

I am keenly aware that this time is not a joyful season for all of us. This is especially true if this is the first Christmas without someone we loved who has died.

What was helpful to me during one of my first Christmastimes was written by Madeleine L’Engle. “When God created, in the beginning, God did not conclude by saying, “It is finished.” God said, “It is good, and it is very good.” God is with us in our pain, grief and confusion. We do not ever stop being a part of God’s love, even after we die. Death does not finish us but only opens doors that lead us into the future.

During our first Christmas in Bella Vista, I received, as a gift, Maya Angelou’s poem, “Amazing Peace.” I read it every year. It concludes:

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

We, Angels, Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,

Look heavenward and speak the word aloud, Peace.

We look at our world and speak the word aloud, Peace.

We look at each other, then into ourselves,

And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:

Peace, My Brother, Peace, My sister, Peace, My soul.

•••