Part of our 2011 SSCP Annual Advent Devotional — “The Best Christmas Gift”
BY MARILYN PARR 
During a particularly snowy winter, my family trudged off to church for the 5:00 PM Christmas Eve service in a very small Minnesota town. The snow and wind were quite bitter, but everyone was anticipating the service. As we lived in a rural area, no one locked their doors until bedtime, so the back door was unlocked while we were at the service. On our return home we discovered that friends, traveling from Iowa in this cold weather, had stopped for a respite in our home.
Rev. Clarence and Louise Richardson were friends from my early childhood when we lived in Fargo, ND. I stayed with this lovely couple during the January blizzard when my sister was born in 1951. Because they served churches in Northern Minnesota we, who lived near Minneapolis, seldom visited with them; however, the families remained very close.
Feeling the need for a break from winter driving in the darkening evening, our friends entered our house and felt the warmth of the furnace. They, also, noticed a pot of oyster stew on the stove waiting for the final dinner preparations to complete the Christmas Eve meal. Deciding to seek shelter from the storm and share in the Christmas celebration, they dined with us and stayed the night, rather like the Magi on their wanderings through the countryside seeking the Christ Child at Bethlehem. What a wonderful evening was shared with our friends who worshiped with us at the late service. As is the way with Santa Claus, stockings for these beloved friends and a few small gifts were under the tree to remind them of the special place they had in our hearts.
Christmas morning dawned clear and bright with plowed roads to take the travelers to their home further north. The Richardson’s were soon on their way; however, their gift to my family, especially for my siblings and me, was their time with us. No greater gift can be given than time spent with those we love.
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SSCP BLOG SERIES — 2011 Advent Devotional: “The Best Christmas Gift”
We will be accepting essays throughout the month of December. This year’s Advent focus is on “the best Christmas GIFT” you’ve ever received or given. Maybe there was a cost. Perhaps it was free. It took a lot of sacrifice. Or it was effortless. How was God a part of this gift? It does need to be a gift, not a moment or memory. We will upload new essays periodically, so please check back often. (tag: advent). If you feel moved to share the story about your best Christmas gift, please email it to Wendy Hudgins at communications@silverspringumcp.org. To stay up-to-date with activities and opportunities during advent, please visit our FB page.
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Blessings and peace as we begin the Advent journey to Christmas. See you Sunday!
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