I remember years ago, traveling to the mountains of North Carolina with my fine wife Bev and my parents for a long weekend get-away.

We started looking for a hotel room and were unable to fine one for over 60 miles along Interstate 40. 

The clerk at the first hotel we stopped at told us that we would have a problem finding accommodations.  He informed us that the annual Furniture Market was taking place in High Point, North Carolina and there wasn’t a sleeping room to be found within 60 miles in any direction of that huge event.  We found out he was right.

This particular journey was before the days of cell phones and computers.  If you wanted to call ahead you used a pay phone.  We stopped at exit after exit only to hear the same message. . .there was no room in the inn  . . . Holiday or otherwise.

We had the money but there was no room to be found.  At least, my fine wife Bev wasn’t about to give birth.

Who do you expect to receive gifts from this Christmas?

Your spouse, if you’re married?  Your parents, if they’re still with you?  Your children?  Other close relatives? Your co-workers?  Your neighbors?  Your friends at church?  Your best friend?

What about those gifts?  How often do you have to return a gift?

Have you ever received a gift that was the wrong size?  The wrong color? 

Have you ever received a gift that you had no idea where to put it?

Have you ever received a gift that truthfully you couldn’t figure out what it was or even why someone would give it to you?

Have you ever received a gift that you already had?  Maybe two or three of them?

Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t want. . .but you couldn’t return for fear of hurting someone’s feelings so it was relegated to the back of your closet, the attic or the garage?

How often do you receive the perfect gift?  Can you remember one thing you received last Christmas?