My sister and I grew up on a cattle ranch in the foothills of a desert mountain range in Arizona. Every year on December 24 we awoke to the savory smells of coffee, bacon, eggs and maple syrup pancakes, and then we ran into the kitchen squealing, “Christmas Eve gift!” There stood our parents, smiling, ready to give us hug and a fresh orange, picked that morning from a tree in our back yard. Such small gifts, an orange and a hug, yet they were received with tremendous joy. The memory of our Christmas Eve gift still warms my heart.
The small wonders of gifts and traditions especially delight us as children. But as we grow older, we see that the four gifts of Advent—love, joy, peace and hope—reach far deeper into our hearts than any material things. What you give and receive in the next days will be used up, worn out, lost, or outgrown. But the gifts of the Savior will be with you for the rest of your life. If your Christmas is going to include rushing around, rush to God who lovingly passes out His love, joy, peace and hope.