Gifts

The seasonal Christmas shopping fever escalated in Atlanta this year. Stores opened early Thanksgiving Day, causing us to choose between stuffing our bellies or our coffers. Long lines surrounded retail outlets, with lusting consumers seeking opportunities to purchase prized items. Everywhere we turned we heard the same message — BUY, BUY, BUY!

We also heard contrasting voices — those filled with anger and frustration — from Occupy Wall Street to Occupy Atlanta, their message of the devastation brought by the horrors of the Great Recession rang. Hurting poor and middle class Americans shouted, “We need jobs. We demand fair taxes. “

As Americans, we watched our TV screens in horror as the devastation of Joplin, Missouri’s tornado was realized. Much of the city was destroyed. Many low income families lost everything and almost 200 of our fellow Americans lost their lives. It made us ask the simple question, “Where would you go if you couldn’t
go home?” Wow. Now, that’s a big question. This awe informed a new sense of purpose. Our compassion flowed, and help for our brother and sister citizens began to flood in.

After all these years of preaching and serving I still don’t have all the answers to times of plenty or times of loss, but it has led me to ponder, “What can’t money buy?”

Instead of retail therapy this Christmas season, let’s have a virtual therapy and savor those gifts money can’t buy. Let’s help Atlantans seek a Higher Ground, just as our friends in Joplin have done.

Share your list of gifts. I will start with mine. My wonderful, supportive wife (who still holds my old hand), our children and grandchildren, the blessings of all those relationships that I really didn’t fully appreciate until I retired; the helpful hug of friends and neighbors. Come on. Join me. Share some of these priceless, intangible gifts you cherish which money can’t buy…

Rev. Joe Roberts