THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER

THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER

There was a time when the most dreaded gift a person could open was, the ugly Christmas sweater.  The sweater would bring inside laughter to some who were watching the scenario play out, but to the receiver of the gift a fake smile and a forced thank you would be uttered from their lips.  If the receiver was a crude brave soul this sweater would be wrapped up, regifted and the sweater would make its way on a circuit of being the never ending gift.   Amazingly this once dreaded gift has become a sought after treasure.  In fact Christmas parties are planned around, the ugly Christmas sweater. 

Several years ago before my Father passed away my parents had sent a box of gifts to our house for us, our daughters, their spouses and the grandchildren.  My Father had purchased these gifts himself.  Oh boy, it sure was a good thing my parents were not present when we open these gifts because with each gift that was opened a new roar of laughter would begin.  After the gifts were all opened a trading session took place.  One of those gifts was a ceramic wolf head, which ended up being the object of regifting.  Believe it or not eventually the wolf head found its home with a receiver who really loved the wolf head and proudly put it on display.

A few years after my Father passed away Dan and I shared this story about that Christmas with my Mother and we all had a good laugh.  Every now and again someone will bring up that Christmas day and I must say it was one of the best days we spent together as a family.  A “memory” that will not be lost.  There has been much discussion about where my Father had purchased these gifts.  We think it must have been at one of those truck stops that has an oasis, a discount warehouse or maybe a thrift shop.  Who knows……….we got an incredible laugh and a lasting memory of my Father.

Proverbs 15:13(NKJV)
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22(NKJV)
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

One day there will be laughter beyond our comprehension and I can hardly wait.

Jeremiah 33:11(NLT)
the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!’ For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:11 is God’s great gift to us and this is one gift that should make the circuit of every person in the world.  A gift great enough to bring unspeakable joy to all who want to partake of this precious gift!!

Luke 1:46-55(NKJV)
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

SONG ~ MY SOUL MAGNIFIES