Did you know there is a National Toy Hall of fame in Rochester, NY?  I didn’t.  Every year a new member is inducted into this toy hall of fame.  In 2005, the cardboard box was inducted.  What kid doesn’t love to play in a cardboard box?  But, one of my favorites was the toy that was inducted in 2008 – a plain old stick.  The stick was picked because of its “all-purpose, no-cost, recreational qualities.”  It is portable and versatile and “fosters learning creativity through play and imagination.”  It’s the perfect price; it’s all-natural; there are no rules or complicated instructions for use.  It can be a horse, a gun, a sword, a slingshot, a fishing rod or a snowman’s arms.

Many years ago when my two sons were very young, daily they brought home sticks.  With the many toy options they had, sticks were one of their favorites.  Most times, while playing outside, they each had a stick in hand.  All around the world I have observed children playing with this universal toy.  A single stick and a little boy or girls imagination can provide hours of incredible fun.  From my own childhood, I remember playing ice hockey with a stick and a smashed can for a puck.

I do not suspect your children want you to wrap up a stick for Christmas.  I could only imagine the disappointment on their faces.  There is, however, one Gift (the Creator of those sticks) that is greater than any other, our Heavenly Father’s Gift of gifts – His Son, Jesus.  It’s what Christmas is all about.