Several years ago I heard a story of a man (this is a story that took place back in the 1800s in a farming community) who wanted to show his love for a friend by giving him a gift (the giver we will call Tom and the recipient we will call Sam). This man (Tom) was rich in love, but he was poor in worldly goods. When he went home to count his money, he found that he couldn’t purchase the gift that he thought to give his friend (Sam). And Tom was sad. And his sadness was felt by all who knew him. But then he decided he’d plant a crop for his friend Sam. Unfortunately, that crop failed to produce. Tom was heartbroken. But when Sam heard of what Tom had endured for him, Sam was overcome. He embraced Tom and he wept for it was not the gift that counted but it was the love that was in the man’s heart.
Recently I reheard a song that Bing Crosby sang called The Littlest Angel. This is a solemn fictional story that I will apply metaphorically in a bit. The lyrics are (I took out the repeated chorus), “Let me tell you a tale that is often told in the great Celestial Hall all about an angel only four years old, the littlest angel of all. How all day he would play with a little box that to others had no words. Oh, but there were treasures in his little box, the treasures he brought from Earth. Just a butterfly with golden wings, a little piece of a hollow log, two shiny stones from a river bank, and the worn out strap of his faithful dog. Then the angels all heard of the Holy Child would be born in Bethlehem and they all brought present for the Holy Child and each gift was a heavenly gem. Then the littlest angel put his little box with the presents fine and wrapped. And the littlest angel sat alone and cried for his gift was so meager and bad. But the Lord chose the gift of the little box that the child had blessed with love. And it started glowing that very night. It became the star up above. When you see that star as it shines on high in the great Celestial Hall, you will know the proudest angel in the sky is the littlest angel of all.” After hearing that song, immediately two things came to mind quickened by the Holy Spirit.
The first is how God desires all of us (who accept Him) to be bearers of His light (see Matthew 5:16) to illuminate God’s truth in a world of lies, to illuminate His love in world of darkness and hate, and to illuminate giving and forgiving for God first gave to a world that is full of self (sadly just listen to many modern “popular” sermons or preachers). That light is also His glory that we are to bear or to be a witness or to testify (see John 1:6-9, 11, 14-17).
The second is found both in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 about the widow woman who gave two mites, minas, copper coins, or pennies (whatever version and translation you may have or want to view). To the world, she had nothing to offer. She was often overlooked and even disadvantaged by those who ought to be the examples of being a servant (see Jesus’ rebuke in Matthew 23:14). Many who gave lavishly in the offering box and then went about their way unaffected by giving except “to be seen by men” (see Matthew 6:1-4). And yet for her devoted love and trust to God, she gave all she had (as did the farmer and the littlest angel, and as did others who the Bible share) knowing that she would go home expecting to find her cupboards bare. And for us, perhaps we may feel small, insignificant, unattractive, unable to offer or bring something to the table. Maybe all we have are two mites because we never seem to have more than enough money and all we have left is just that to offer. Maybe what we feel we bring to God is nothing more than a small box of odd things (talents, abilities, intelligence, charisma, etc.). And what we can ONLY bring is just our faith and love to God.
Often in this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, the focus is usually on receiving. For those who may be more spiritual or appreciative, on being thankful. But while we concentrate on the thanks in Thanksgiving, perhaps we ought to consider the giving in thanksgiving. Perhaps in inviting a neighbor for a meal. Perhaps giving to someone in need. Perhaps even giving to someone who may appear to have everything materially that life could offer but they need a gift to the heart from the heart. Maybe it is being there for someone if for nothing more than an ear, a hug, or a tear shed in empathy. For it isn’t what is in the box, it truly is love blessed by someone who cared enough to give and to even sacrifice (even if the crop doesn’t produce, or the efforts or results failed). This love from a giver is an example of the greatest Gift of all ever given unto the world (see John 3:16) by God. May we emulate toward one another.