In this season of Christmas, there a lot of wrapping of
presents going on. Do you wonder how the tradition began? Why do we wrap
presents? Why not just give them unwrapped?
I do, so I looked it up. The Children’s Museum of
Indianapolis, in an online post dated December 9, 2013, says: “The desire to
hide the identity of the gift until just the right moment led people to wrap
gifts long, long ago.”
How about that?
We began concealing the identity of a present ages ago. Why?
Because we’re looking for ’just the right moment’ to reveal the gift.
Makes sense, right?
After all, I’ve received gifts and waited to open them until
the ‘real’ date. Or I’ve waited to open
them until the giver is present to share in the joy. Or, I’ve waited to open it until I have time
to savor it.
I never thought about it, but, yes, we wait to open gifts at
‘just the right moment.’
It reminds me of a particular scene from my childhood.
“Have a seat on the sofa,” my mother said. “We have a
surprise for you!”
What? A surprise? I
couldn’t imagine what it was, but surprises were always good. I raced to the
couch, sat down, and turned my smiling, freckled face her way.
“Close your eyes,” she said.
”I’ll be right back.”
I squeezed them shut.
Moments later, I heard my parents shuffling something
through the room, stopping at my feet.
“Okay,” they said. “You can open your eyes now!”
Delight filled me as I saw the present set before me. It was wrapped in colorful paper, which I
immediately removed.
Underneath was a big grey case. I flipped the latches open,
first one…then the other. I gasped with delight when I spotted the full-sized
accordion, marble-gray with stunning ivory keys.
What? I’d wanted this
forever! At least as long as I’d been taking accordion lessons.
“I love it!” I said, jumping to my feet. “Thank you!”
My parents helped me take it out of the case and adjust the
straps to fit my small frame. Moments later, I played a simple rendition of
Silent Night.
Initially, when I started lessons, my parents rented an
accordion, waiting to see. Would I practice weekly? Would the novelty wear off?
Would I still want an accordion months later?
I didn’t tire of the lessons. I enjoyed music. I loved
practicing.
So, when the time was right…and undoubtedly, the right deal
came along…my parents, delight dancing in their eyes, gifted me with my own
accordion…unexpected and unforeseen by me…at just the right moment.
Don’t you imagine this is how God helps us? He’s beaming,
knowing he’s got great gifts for us…wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength...to
name a few. Although unexpected and
unforeseen by us, we have what we need before we even need it.
His holy gifts are hidden in the ordinariness of our lives,
waiting for just the right moment to arise. And he knows the place…and he knows
the time…
You can trust him. Our surprises are always good.
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, what God, nor have entered into the
heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him. 1
Corinthians 2:9
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