While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
~ Matthew 1:20-23
One of my third graders raised her hand at the end of class yesterday. When I called on her, she began with, “Mrs. D., you seem like a person who has traveled the world. ” (Wow!) ” My dad told me to pick a place to visit for Christmas (double wow), and I was wondering where you would pick.”
I thought quickly but before I could mouth my first choice, it was sung out by a little boy in the class. “Hawaii!” (That was my first pick!) Then I mentioned Italy, but where my grandfather was born in Sava, not the amazing regular tour that folks go on (that I would still love to do,) and Ireland, and France. Because I have never been.
What a gift she is being given. And she is being given two tickets, so that she will be getting the gift of time, which is how most of us spell love.
Whether you give the gift of a ticket around the world, or running errands with a loved one, it is the time you spend with the recipient, not the $$.
I am challenged to give the gift of time. To the Lord. To my family. To myself.
Dear Lord, I thank you for the gift of the children, their openness with me, their willingness to share. their love. Help us to give the gift of time and love to those we cherish, to those who don’t know that gift. Help us to put feet on our faith.
Because of Him,
Linda
