Jesus, the best present

Last Christmas, lots of kids wanted a "Tickle Me Elmo" doll. This year, Beanie Babies are the toys many kids are asking Santa for. Next Christmas, there will be another toy on everyone's lists -- and you probably won't care about Tickle Me Elmo or Beanie Babies!

Christmas presents like those are fun for a while, but you get bored with them long before next Christmas comes. But in this week's Gospel (Luke 1:39-45), we hear about one gift to the whole world that never gets boring: Jesus, who was born on Christmas.

Just before Jesus was born, Mary took a trip to visit her relative, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was going to have a baby, too: Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. Even John, who wasn't born yet, knew that Mary would soon be Jesus' mother: He jumped for joy inside his mother. Excited, Elizabeth told Mary: "You're blessed by God for trusting God's promise to send you a son, Jesus!"

If you've asked for Beanie Babies for Christmas, you're probably writing Santa and telling your family every day how much you want them, so no one forgets. But you're never sure you'll get them. You don't find out what Santa has for you 'til Christmas morning!

When God told Mary she would have a baby named Jesus, the son of God, Mary might have wondered if she'd really get that wonderful present. But since God promised she would, Mary believed it. Elizabeth and John were proud of her for trusting God!

Even if you don't get Beanie Babies for Christmas, you'll probably get something else that's just as good. Santa might give you gifts you haven't even thought of!

But for Mary, there was no Christmas present as good as Jesus. There weren't as many people looking for Jesus then as there are now for Beanie Babies, but Jesus was a lot more special: By next Christmas, we won't get bored with Him. We'll just celebrate His Christmas birthday all over again!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember that you're the best present of all, every Christmas! Amen. Merry Christmas!

(12-18-97)

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