Fireside Chats: Christmas Stockings
Saturday, December 13, 2014 Devotion by Dr. David Jeremiah of Turning Point Ministries
”So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury.”” (Mark 12:43; NKJV)
“Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself. As you serve the Lord, work hard and don’t be lazy. Be excited about serving him! Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time. Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.’“Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.’“If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone. My friends, don’t try to punish anyone who does wrong to you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger. In the Scriptures the Lord says,“I am the one who punishes;I will pay people back.”Deuteronomy 32:3520But you should do this:“If you have enemies who are hungry,give them something to eat.If you have enemies who are thirsty,give them something to drink.In doing this you will make them feel ashamed” Proverbs 25:21-22“Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:9-21: Easy to Read Version, American Bible Society)
A poor man, father of three beautiful daughters, had no money to provide for their marriages or their futures. Hearing this, Saint Nicholas secretly put a bag of gold in the daughters’ stockings, which were hanging by the fireplace to dry overnight. Upon rising, the family was overjoyed. Ever since, children have hung up stockings on Christmas Eve in hopes of a visit from Saint Nicholas.
That’s the closest we can come to the origin of Christmas stockings. Regardless of the origin of the practice, one thing is evident: Christmas stockings can only hold small gifts. Indeed, what would fit in a child’s stocking was the extent of the earliest Christmas gifts from parents to children. And therein is the lesson: It’s the little things that matter most at Christmas. Jesus Himself revealed the true meaning of value when He commended a widow in Jerusalem for putting two pennies into the Temple treasury.
As you plan your Christmas giving this year, keep “value” in mind. Gifts wrapped in Christmas love are the most valuable of all.
© 2014 Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah
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