On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… Three French Hens!

Actually, I’ll be giving my true love Turkey sandwiches. Not Christmas Day leftovers, but “Boxing Day” leftovers.

Boxing Day, December 26, is an English tradition. The holiday is interpreted in various ways; but I’ve always understood it originally represented the tradition of well-to-do families “boxing” up festive excess and then serving it to the poor.

WE CAN DO BETTER! I guess something is better than nothing; but I prefer the generosity initiatives Rebekah and I have participated in through the three faith communities we’ve served (Trinity Presbyterian in Pensacola, First Presbyterian in Brandon, and Wake Forest Presbyterian Church right here).

With God, it’s never about leftovers. In the economy Jesus advocates we give our best, our first-fruits; the original packaging, right out of the box.

STORY: I’m not sure if I’ve posted this story before; but it’s worth hearing again even if I had.

When we arrived in Brandon in 1996 the church kitchen was a mess. Part of the mess included 3 or 4 donated stoves. One had two burners working, but no oven. One could broil but not bake. One could bake but the thermostat was out.

So Rebekah had a clean-out party and they were gone. One man heard about it and stormed in, very angry.

• Man: “I donated that stove. You can’t throw it away!”
• Rebekah: “It didn’t work.”
• Man: “My mother cooked thousands of meals on that stove!”
• Rebekah: “Why did you donate the stove to the church?”
• Man: “It quit working and she needed a new one.”
• Rebekah: “(crickets…)”
• Man: “I think maybe a couple of the burners worked.”
• Rebekah: “Don’t you think it would honor your mother more if you gave God as good a stove as you got for her?”

Result: The man in question headed up a major church kitchen renovation early the next year.

SO WHAT? On the first day of Christmas, on the second day of Christmas, on the third day of Christmas, and every moment of every day thereafter, our true-love God gave EVERYTHING to me.

God has never stopped short of the very best when it comes to generosity, and love, and sacrifice.

On this day, the third day of Christmas, “everything” is our opportunity too.

Peace, and unsurpassable joy – DEREK