"The Very Best"

My friend gave a devotion yesterday that really seemed to pinpoint the true meaning of Christmas. Judging from the teary eyes, around the room, her words must have been meaningful to many of us in attendance.
Her story was personal. And briefly, without going into too much detail, it involved a large family without any gifts, right before Christmas. A local church gave a new gift, with the child's name on it, to every one of those children. And, fifty years later, each child could remember their specific gift.
The point of the devotion was "give your best".  Those kids, with only one gift that year, were thrilled because that church gave them a wonderful Christmas.
Let's remember this story when are asked to give. The store brand, out-dated pureed pumpkin, is worthless to a needy family. That half-used bottle of perfume, or a piece of broken jewelry won't make very nice gifts.  No matter how needy, poor folks don't want what you don't want!
As Hallmark says, "When you care enough to send the very best...."
Remember the gift that God gave to us at Christmas. He sent his very best.

Holy Christ Child: You have come to save us, it seems, from ourselves. Have a blessed birthday.