Rachel Uretsky-Pratt teaches at a school in Kennewick, Washington, that is 100% free/reduced lunch. On the last day of school, before the Christmas break, Rachel was looking forward to giving books and treats to her students. During the day she had received handmade cards and notes, chocolates, and some jewelry. But one gift stood out from the rest. One little girl wanted to give Ms. Pratt a gift, but had nothing. That morning, she saved the plastic wrapper that the fork, spoon, straw, and napkin came in. Then she carefully took the time to take out every prized marshmallow in her cereal, put it in the plastic wrapper, tie it off, and give it to her teacher. Rachel reminded, “Be grateful for what you have, and what others give you. It all truly comes from the deepest parts of their hearts.”
Heather Babin Benoit’s last Christmas as a classroom teacher she received a gift that reminded her that it is the thought that counts. One of her students saw that the other children brought their teacher gifts, but he had nothing to give. He saved the box that his gift had been wrapped in, put his purple crayon in the box, and rewrapped the box. When giving the gift to his teacher, he said, “I hope you love it, it is your favorite color.” Heather responded, “Purple is my favorite color. He knew that. He paid attention to what I said. He didn’t have much to give in his eyes but he gave me so much more than a purple crayon. He gave me love. He gave me his heart. He gave me a kind gesture.”
For the past 30 years, Erik Pauze, Rockefeller Center Head Gardener, has chosen the Christmas tree for the holiday festivities in New York City. Sometimes people nominate trees to be chosen and other times the trees that are picked are discovered while driving through the Northeast. That is the story for the 2024 tree. In 2020, Erik had stopped to get gas on his tree hunting search. When he looked up, he saw a beautiful Spruce. He stopped at the house, knocked on the door and met Earl Albert. He asked if he would someday be willing to donate his tree to the Rockefeller Center. Earl told Erik that in 1967, he and his newlywed wife, Leslie, had planted the Norway Spruce in West Stockridge, Massachusetts. Through the years they watched the tiny evergreen grow to a towering tree. Leslie had passed away a few months before Erik stopped by. Earl decided that donating their tree would be a wonderful way to honor his beloved Leslie. The decorated tree could then be enjoyed by those visiting New York City in December. After the Christmas Season, the tree will be given to Habitat for Humanity to be used in building houses for those in need.
Especially during these days, may the gifts we give truly come from the heart.
Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
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