One Christmas during the teenage years, my sisters and I decided to make presents for our parents. Lacking the money or the talent (well, this doesn’t apply to my younger sister) to do anything significant, we put our brains together and came up with a plan – boxer shorts. I know. My parents are so lucky to have us!
We went to WalMart (or it could have been K-Mart back then) and bought a package of cheap men’s boxer shorts in baby blue. Some leftover fabric from my mom’s sewing supplies provided the inspiration for decoration. It had penguins and other winter themed designs that we cut out. Using needles and thread that also belonged to my mom, we hand-stitched embellishments all over the shorts.
Despite my mom’s efforts to teach us the craft, seamstresses we were not. Without a sewing machine or any skill, this project took hours. We holed up in our room – imagining the cute and comfy pajama shorts on their recipients. I’ll pause here to tell you that I have no idea why we thought my parents needed or wanted boxers. But they would get them. One with Mama and another with Papa in letters cut out of coordinating material.
The sheer amount of time we spent on these gifts intrigued my folks. And if they were disappointed by them on Christmas morning, we would never know. In fact, I remember my dad wearing his on repeat. Even after the sad little penguins and letters started to fall off. My mom and dad appreciated their gifts because of the sacrifice of time and effort my sisters and I made to provide them.
A More Important Gift
In the midst of presents, decorations, parties and Hallmark movies, we often forget what makes this holiday special.
Jesus gave up heaven for a time. He became human, being born as a baby, and lived a perfect life despite temptations. He died an excruciatingly painful and humiliating death on a cross to take the punishment for our sins. And because of this, we are forgiven. Redeemed from sin. Made white and clean as Christmas snow (if you live somewhere that snow actually happens).
The feeding trough in your nativity set (we call it a manger) is only special because of the sacrifices made by the baby Mary and Joseph placed in it. These sacrifices give us salvation. And our salvation is a priceless gift. He is worthy!
And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!
I am so pleased to share a post from my fellow link up host Tammy Kennington today. She wrote so beautifully in Advent and the Arrival of Christ – and even taught me something about Advent that I didn’t know. This time of year I am so aware that we live in the already and not yet, and Tammy encouraged me so much.
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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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That is a beautiful, sweet Christmas story. TFS.
Thanks, Amy.
Lauren, such a sweet story. May we never forget the sacrifice of His gift to us. It cost Him all so that we would gain all. Thank you for this precious reminder!
May we never forget, Joanne.
I, too remember making handmade gifts for my parents! I made my dad an ugly wool plaid (mustard shades) collard shirt. Despite my skills, I couldn’t get the collar just right, and I hadn’t finished making buttonholes before Christmas 😆. He wore it with pride—even though he never would have chosen the color. We learn so much about selflessness from our parents.
I love this story so much! Thank you for sharing.
A beautiful story Lauren! I remember my daughter’s when they were young made me a basket of handmade goodies which I still have to this day!
Blessings,
Jennifer
That is so sweet, Jennifer.
Laughing over all the sweet sacrifice on both sides of the relationship. Thanks for the encouraging story.
Thanks for reading, Michele.
Handmade gifts are the best, especially the ones from children….Great story
Agreed, Jan. Thank you.