T
his Christmas, would you rather one big
gift, or many small gifts? That's a toughie.
I see the attraction in both. One large
giftwrapped box under the tree would drive
my excitement through the roof. On the other hand,
imagine the joy of opening one small present
after another--each one conveying the love
and affection of those dear to us.
A man well�known in his city for his
lifetime of benevolence and public
service was honored for his contribu-
tions to the community. Not long
after, when a woman he had not
seen in years greeted him as they
passed on the street, she began
thanking him for what he had done for
her so long ago.
Perplexed, he wondered to which of
his "projects" was she referring. The
endowment to the local university?
His annual donation to the Salvation
Army Red Kettle Fund? Perhaps it
was assistance rendered to her
through local charities on which he
served as a board member.
He finally asked her, and was
floored when she said simply, "You
lit my fire for me!"
Apparently--an incident he had
long-forgotten--she had been quite
ill one Christmas and he and his
wife paid the aging woman a visit.
Seeking to be helpful, he put a
match to the wood in her fireplace.
She never forgot that small gesture.
In yet another year, in another part
of the world, a Salvation Army lass
was collecting at her Red Kettle stand
for that city's annual seasonal effort. A
scruffy little boy stood nearby watching her while she
rang the familiar bell.
When the Salvationist noticed him, she smiled--
and the little boy retreated around the corner, overcome
with shyness.
A little while later, he returned--this time with
another little fellow even more scruffy looking.
"Excuse me, Ma'am," the first boy said, "but would
you please smile at my friend here the same way
you smiled at me?"
It doesn't take much to make a lasting impression
on someone, no matter how small the gesture.
Perhaps that was one reason why so many people
were attracted to Jesus. Matthew 4:25 reports that
large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem,
Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him.
Now granted--some wanted healing; some came
to listen; still others wanted to see a miracle. But I
believe many followed Him merely because of a small
gesture He may have made to them--a strong
hand under the chin of a little child, a
wink and a smile or even His kind
and gentle demeanor as He walked
among them.
I truly hope your Christ-
mas wish comes true--no
matter how big a package
it may be. But I also
hope you experience
the joy of many
small gestures
sent your way.
Those little
things really do
mean a lot!
Major Frank Duracher is
Divisional Secretary for The
Salvation Army's Maryland and
West Virginia Division.
Coming Home
............
Christmas
Gestures
by
MAJOR FRANK DURACHER
iStockphoto
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