On the 5th Day of Christmas Past Re-cast…
Question: Today’s “Light the World” is to show gratitude. How did two brothers go Christmas shopping with gratitude?
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“The Christmas Shoppers”
“The stores were bright with the glitter of Christmas and filled with exciting games and gadgets, and with warm and appealing clothing to tempt Timmy, age nine, and his seven-year-old brother Billy who, with Mr. Smith, were doing their Christmas shopping.
They had gone from store to store, looking at many possible gifts and then always shaking their heads when a clerk asked if she could help them. Billy had almost bought a game he wanted, and Timmy had paused an unusually long time before a display of books, but after whispered consultation with each other, the boys had decided in each case to look further. Finally impatient, Mr. Smith asked, “Where would you suggest we look next?” He was a member of a club that each year helped to make Christmas happier for poor families. He had given Timmy and Billy each $4.00 and had taken them shopping for gifts they especially wanted.
“Could we go to a shoe store, sir?” asked Timmy. “We’d like a pair of shoes for our dad. He hasn’t any to wear when he gets better and can go back to work.”
When they reached the shoe store. Billy pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Timmy, who smoothed a crumbled piece of brown paper before giving it to the clerk and explaining it was a pattern of their Dad’s foot. They had carefully drawn it while their father slept in a chair one evening. The clerk studied the pattern and then walked away. He returned in a few minutes, held out a box holding a pair of shoes, and asked, “Will these do?”
The shoes were so beautiful that the boys almost held their breath. Then Timmy saw the price on the box. “We only have $8.00,” he said, disappointed, “and these shoes are $16.95.”
The clerk cleared his throat. “They have been,” he answered, “but they’re on special today for Christmas gifts. They’ll cost you just $3.98, and you’ll have money left over for something for yourselves.”
“Not for us,” the boys exclaimed, “but we can get something for our mother and our two little sisters. Thank you, oh, thank you, sir!”
Over the boys’ heads, the clerk and Mr. Smith exchanged meaningful looks. But Timmy and Billy, filled with gratitude at being able to buy presents for the rest of the family, paid no attention to the men. They could hardly wait to finish their Christmas shopping.”
The boys knew that gratitude is being content with what you have and that great joy comes from giving and serving others.
Timmy and Billy were grateful to have $4 a piece to go Christmas shopping, but more grateful for being able to buy presents for their parents and sisters.
These brothers had thoughtfully considered a gift that would greatly benefit their father and prepared before their shopping trip. Their delight at the opportunity to find gifts for other family members shows a spontaneous enthusiasm. A truly heart warming story.
After looking at things for themselves, they were excited about the idea of buying something for their father. They were grateful for all that he has done for them and wanted him to have a new pair of shoes to show their gratitude for him. After they bought the shoes and had money left, they showed gratitude for the rest of the family and wanted to buy gifts for them and not theirselves.
These boys found the joy of giving. They thought nothing of themselves, but instead focused on the needs of their father and sisters.
The 2 young boys were grateful for the $4 they had each received. They wanted to use it for their dad and buy him new shoes for work. The shoe store clerk lowered the price on the shoes. This made the boys grateful they would have something left over to buy presents for their mom and younger sisters.
The boys showed gratitude to their family members by buying them gifts instead of thinking of themselves. This is the true Christmas spirit — loving others as Savior loves us.
This is a great example of “passing it forward”. When they received the gift of extra money, they expressed their gratitude by spending the money on gifts for their mother and sisters.
The two boys didn’t think of themselves. They want others to feel loved. Beautiful Christlike examples.
The two boys felt gratitude for the love of their family and in turn gave up the money they had to buy things for their family to show love for them.
They wanted to buy their dad shoes because of all the gratitude they had for him. They were able to buy presents for their mom and sisters as well instead of buying for themselves. When we have gratitude in our hearts it’s easy to be selfless
Timmy and Billy had the blessing from Mr. Smith for money to buy their father some shoes. Then they were super excited to find they had money left over to buy for their mother and sisters. They were so grateful to be able to buy gifts for their family. What a great feeling it is to be able to give to others you love.
They were so grateful for the money they were given, but instead of spending it on themselves they were excited and grateful to have enough money to buy gifts for all their family members. Great story!
Timmy and Billy were filled with gratitude at being able to buy presents for the rest of the family since their purchase still resulted in “leftover” money.
They thought more of others instead of what they wanted
The boys had so little but chose to spend their extra money ( after buying shoes for dad), on their mom and younger sisters.
The boys were so grateful to be able to buy the shoes for their father and then to have something left over to buy a gift for their mother and two sisters. They thought only of others and were grateful to be able to give to others. They were unselfish and really felt joy and gratitude in giving.
These two boys put a lot of loving thought into what to buy with their Christmas money. They decided to buy their dad a pair of shoes because that is what he really needed. Isn’t that how we should serve others? By finding out what they need? Nit just giving a gift of what you want to give but giving one that the person needs! These kids found out what it fry like to give as the Savior gives !
Those sweet little boys decided that although they loved some things that they loved their family even more and wanted to bring light to them.