There is a remarkable holiday story going around that was
caught on video. Passengers of a red-eye WestJet flight could entertain themselves
at the airport by scanning their ticket on a machine and a live imagine of
Santa would appear on a screen. He would talk to each person asking them about
what they wanted for Christmas. Each traveler, young and old, played along and
shared items ranging from socks and underwear to a big screen TV. What an enjoyable way to pass the time while
waiting to board their flight.
The cameras then reveal the behind the scenes activities
while the airplane was in flight. A group of WestJet employees in the flight’s destination
city had been taking notes as Santa talked with the passengers. Santa’s “helpers”
quickly ran out to stores, purchased all of the gifts, and then wrapped and
labeled them. Unbeknownst to the passengers of what had happened, after landing
they stood by the baggage claim, anxious to gather their belongings and get home.
The buzzer sounded to alarm them the conveyor
belt would begin moving… only
instead of suitcases being poured out of the doorway it was wrapped gifts. Beautiful
packages of all sizes spilled out; with sparkly bows and shiny paper the gifts twirled
along the path of the baggage claim. The place erupted. As the passengers began
to receive their gifts they were overwhelmed with emotion. Children were
jumping up and down squealing with delight. Jaws dropped and adults were
shaking their heads in awe of the outpouring of generosity. Women were covering
their faces in disbelief of being given a gift they neither earned nor
deserved. “Merry Christmas” was all they were told!
In this heart-felt video I was touched but brought back to
the real meaning of Christmas. The truest outpouring of the season is a gift. However, it is not
from Santa or an airline but from a God who knows exactly what we want, exactly
what we long for deep within the most secret places of our souls. This a gift
we have neither earned nor deserve but it truly changes us forever. It can make
beauty out of ashes. It can feed the most starved heart with love and meaning. It can make us whole. The gift is Jesus! He came in the humble form of a baby but had authority
over all the Earth. He lived without flaw and yet suffered an undeserving demise. Then,
He did the impossible through His resurrection and defeated death!
Christmas is the mark of the unexpected gift that was unwrapped for all
the world: Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, may we jump up and down and squeal with
delight as our hearts receive Your outpouring of love. May our jaws drop as we
stand in awe and gratitude of Your generous gift: Jesus, our Savior! Lord, help
us also to share this gift with ALL those around us, just as You freely gave to
us. For Your glory alone, Amen.
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