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Saturday (Day 21)

VERSES: Luke 2:15-21

I recently read an account by Colin Webster of a woman named Thelma Howard. In 1951, Howard was hired by Walt Disney to be his housekeeper. She worked in that role for 30 years, becoming a real life Mary Poppins to Disney’s children and grandchildren. Like many other members of Disney’s staff, Howard was given a share of stock each year for Christmas. Howard collected all these shares, but never cashed them in, simply keeping them in a box beneath her bed.

According to an LA Times article from 1994, nearing the end of her life, Howard was living in poor conditions sharing a room with three other people in a very modest nursing home without a view. Disney’s children found her in this condition and moved her to a better location for her last days but nothing indicative of what she was really worth. Upon her death, Thelma Howard’s estate was valued at $9 million (mostly due to the Disney stock she owned but never cashed in.) When those Christmas gifts from Walt were eventually “opened” and cashed in, they ultimately would be used to bless many through her foundation helping those in need.

This story reminds us that for Christmas gifts to be activated, they must be opened. Upon learning that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the shepherds had an option. Would they “open” this gift and go and see the newborn King, or would they stay in the field and keep this gift under their bed? The shepherds responded with faith and visited Jesus and told all the wonders of what they saw.

How about you? Jesus has come to offer you the Christmas gift of peace with God and forgiveness of sin. Will you open this gift and place your faith in Him today? Like Mary, will you treasure in your heart the person of Christ and rely on Him and Him alone for your salvation? You can open this Christmas gift today by praying to God and expressing your faith and trust in Him.