Presents

This past Sunday we had our Loop Christmas Celebration.  We had brunch together (thanks, Marsh... it was yummy!), then I took some time to teach about the first Christmas.  It's always fun (& chaotic!) when I'm teaching something to ages 3 to 55 all at the same time!

The best part of the morning came for me when I told people that we had a present for them from the Loop... if they'd like to take it.  I'd found a deal on all kinds of Bibles (magazine format, compact versions in various colors, and MP3 bibles!) as well as on bookmarks listing all the books of the Bible.  I knew that everyone in the group had a Bible (I'd made sure of that)... but I told them that if they'd like one that they thought... fit them more... then I'd love for them to pick one.

I watched as everyone came up to the pile, and looked, and touched, and held, and discussed what would fit in a purse, on a desk, and which one would get read the most.  I sat there incredibly grateful.  People's eyes were shining as they picked up their new Bible (almost everyone took one), and they were excited to take it home.  Most of the people who were picking out a Bible would not have been Bible readers a few years - or even months - ago (some still aren't, and some are still searching... but they excitedly took a Bible anyway).

I still have lots of presents that have to be wrapped for family and friends to give on Christmas.  I love giving gifts.  But I'm not sure if anything will beat giving those Bibles this Christmas.