Last Minute Shopping

I had to chuckle when I read the following adaptation of a famous hymn.

Come, Thou Unexpected Jesus(with apologies to Charles Wesley)

Come, Thou unexpected Jesus,
Interrupt our spending spree.
Shopping malls hold all that pleases;
Why would we then look for Thee?
In the midst of all the bustle,
We've lost the most important part.
Teach us that our lowly Savior
Is not found in a shopping cart.
--Jenn Kipp

I have to confess: shopping is distracting me from the true meaning of Christmas. But it’s not because of I've done too much shopping; it’s because I haven’t done enough. Here I sit on Christmas Eve with the bulk of my Christmas shopping still ahead. I plan to finish it all tonight in a Herculean flurry at the local mall.

So I’m feeling stressed. Malls terrify me. The thought of negotiating crowded department stores trying to determine which flowery dress or fancy earrings or perfume is perfect for my wife is daunting. Often I fail. She’ll probably be back with the gift and receipt in hand a few days later getting something she really wants. But she appreciates the effort and so I venture out.

Christmas can be a stressful time—especially for us guys. Busy malls. Travel. Financial strain. It can be easy to lose the Christmas spirit.

That’s why we have to be intentional about remembering Jesus’ birth. This Christmas season I want to encourage you to contemplate the true meaning of Christmas: the incredible gift of Jesus.

That first Christmas makes even our most hectic Christmases look tame. Just think about it. It came in a barn at the end of a grueling trip for a pregnant teenager. That’s when the Savior of the world was born. So this year, don’t miss it. Amid the hustle and bustle of crowded malls, airports and living rooms, take time to reflect on the amazing gift of Jesus’ birth. And if you think of it, say a prayer for me. I’ll be at the mall shopping.