GIFT EXCHANGE

"A Jump Rope? Seriously?" it would be an understatement to say when I opened my present at the church gift exchange, I was surprised to see the children's yellow vinyl cord with plastic handles and metal ball swivels. I suppose for an enthusiastic primary child, it might've looked different, but I was already 65--no longer thinking about keeping fit with this simple exercise apparatus.

But someone else actually wanted it (!), so I ended up having to choose another gift. As far as I was concerned, I ended up with the best gift of the day: a cute Winnie-the-Pooh mug with a matching shopping bag. That was more like it. I had little use for a jump rope, but a mug and bag were much more likely to be used!

There were 3 junior high girls at the Christmas activities.

I noticed one of them, Haruka, talking with the pastor's wife while up front for gift exchange. I could see by her gestures, she was explaining how they'd come in response to the Christmas fliers distributed to the home they happened to be staying nearby for a few days. But Haruka's two friends seemed to get rather nice gifts. I'm not an expert on teen's tastes, but Haruka didn't seem very enthusiastic about the loose leaf present she'd ended up with. 

I, who do much writing, go through writing material so fast, I can always use notebooks. So, when activities were ended, I asked Haruka if maybe she might not trade gifts with me? A junior higher would like a mug and matching bag more, I thought.

After all, I later thought, that "First Gift Exchange", I got to let go of a pretty bum deal--I had no use for shame, deceit, guilt, loneliness, death, either. And the "trade" was for unfailing Comradery, eternal Sonship, and satisfying Occupation of the Mind and Heart Forever. It cost Jesus much more than 100-300 yen tho', didn't it?