It was just a tiny thing, a small knit stocking with a piece of felt "holly" sewn to the cuff and a safety pin on the back for attaching it to a coat. The two foreign students who were worshipping with our congregation were half a world away from home, and would not be with their families for Christmas. The little stocking pins were merely token gifts, but they did raise the girls' spirits a bit during the holiday season.

Earlier this year, I met with one of the girls again. As we caught up on each other's news, she commented that she didn't remember many people from that congregation, but she never forgot my husband and I. Smiling, I said, "It must have been the stocking." Then she assured me that, not only does she still have the stocking, but she has also worn it every Christmas for the past fifteen years. "That stocking means a lot to me." What a big impact for such a little gift!

God's greatest gift to us was a helpless, tiny infant. Not only did the gift of Jesus raise our spirits, but it also enabled us to have eternal life. What a huge impact for such a "little" gift!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have given so much to us, but nothing is so great as the gift of your son. We thank you and praise you for such a wondrous gift. In Jesus' name. Amen.

There is much in our world, which causes us to be anxious. Natural disasters such as droughts, earthquakes, and flooding can be as devastating as the warfare, terrorist bombings and other abuses we inflict upon others and ourselves. Less violent anxieties – homelessness, lack of job opportunities, increasing numbers of incurable diseases – affect a great number of people. Is it any wonder that our prayers bring more concerns and petitions to God than thanksgiving? Surely with all that is going wrong in the world, God doesn't expect us to be thankful "in everything".

Perhaps it is possible. Living through a traumatic experience often helps us to discover what is truly important in our lives. We realize that the things we tend to desire the most – possessions, social status, money – are actually not as important as our relationships with God, with others, and with the world in which we live.

We have so much for which to be thankful! In the Elf Help Book entitled, "Keeping-up-your-spirits Therapy", Linda Allison-Lewis wrote: "Know that each day of your life is a gift. Have you thanked your Creator today?" On this Thanksgiving Day, may we be aware of our many blessings!

Prayer – Lord, it is easy to express our gratefulness on Thanksgiving Day. Help us to remember that our blessings are with us throughout the year! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: The quote from the Elf Help Book is used by permission. Elf Help Books are published by One Caring Place, Abbey Press, St. Meinrad, Indiana, USA.

A family of chipmunks had taken up residence in a hole near the base of the main feeding tray. They seem to enjoy having their food supply on their doorstep.

Last summer, while watching a chipmunk dart in and out of the hole, we noticed something very odd. Not one, but four heads were looking out! They would erupt from the hole, and scamper right back in again. It seemed to be a game, but we soon realized that we were observing a significant event – the young ones were leaving home. The bravest made its move quickly, running off into the nearby bushes without looking back. Those left behind were more hesitant. Two of them would venture out of the hole, then scoot back into it. Each time they went a little further, until finally, they did not return. The fourth chipmunk, however, seemed to be overwhelmed – it returned to the hole and was content to just poke its head out.

Making our way in today's world can be a daunting experience. Major changes in lifestyle can be embraced whole-heartedly, approached cautiously, or hindered by fear. Whatever the situation, we can be confident that God will be our constant companion on the journey.

Prayer: Lord, life seems to be so complex these days. Often we are unsure of the direction we should be going, or the decisions we should be making. But we know we do not have to cope with any situation alone. Thank you for your eternal presence and guidance. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

The types of birds who frequent our feeders do not vary much from year to year. On occasion, we see something unusual – a rose-breasted grosbeak, a family of partridges, or a mourning dove. A curious fox even climbed up into the tray to see what was so interesting!

One Christmas, a varied thrush came to our feeder. The bird, with its bright orange breast and black "necklace", is usually found on the west coast. (We are on the north shore of Lake Superior.) We assume that a severe winter storm had driven this bird well off its course. A month-long period of extremely cold temperatures began the day after the thrush arrived. In spite of having lost its way, it found a haven in which to stay until the weather improved and it could safely return home.

We encounter many "storms" which can throw us temporarily off course. How good it is to know that God also provides a safe haven for us!

Prayer: Lord, when we are troubled by the storms of life, help us to remember that we will always be safe in your care. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 100:5 – For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Hummingbirds have been visiting our flower beds for many years. Each May, they arrive in our area after wintering in warm, southern climates. The timing of their return is questionable – wildflowers are not blooming yet, and it is usually too cold to set out the bedding plants. Fortunately for them, hummingbird feeders have become quite popular. Several years ago, we were given a hummingbird feeder, which, when filled, provides much-needed food for the tiny birds.

Our spring holiday is usually taken in May. Inevitably, the hummingbirds return before us, and they are looking for food. It is amazing how they hover at the exact spot where the feeder hangs – even though it hasn't been put out yet!

Although the feeder is not always there when the hummingbirds expect to find it, God is always there for us. How reassuring to know that no matter how far we stray, our Heavenly Father will be waiting for us to return.

Prayer:– Lord, at times we follow our own paths rather than the ones you have set out for us. Thank you for always being there when we come back. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 104:24,27,28 – Lord, you have made so many things! How wisely you made them all! The earth is filled with your creatures. All of them depend on you to give them food when they need it. You give it to them, and they eat it; you provide food, and they are satisfied.

It has not been our habit to feed the birds – other than hummingbirds – during the summer. The natural habitat beyond our back yard provides sufficient food for all species in the area. A few summers ago, during a "where to find food" lesson, an adult blue jay landed on the edge of our feeding tray while the eight "babies" sat watching from the telephone wire overhead. The tray, of course, was empty, but the adult continued to sit on the edge, looking first at the feeder, and then toward the house. By the end of our lunch hour, fresh seed had been put out, and the jays' lessons continued.

What tremendous trust those blue jays demonstrated. The adult had complete confidence that food would be found in that tray, and the young ones trusted the parent so implicitly that they sat patiently on the wire until their "lesson" resumed.

Do we trust God that completely?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, scripture tells us that you continually provide for our needs. Help us to be aware that we can depend on you at all times, and in all situations. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Romans 12:11-13 – Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Of all the birds that visit our feeders, black-capped chickadees are the most entertaining and the most endearing.

Chickadees are always cheerful. They sing first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. Some even sing every time they take a seed! (A bird's version of grace?) If we've been away, chickadee songs greet us upon our return. (Extra effort is put into the songs if the feeders happen to be empty.)

They are polite little birds who wait patiently for their turn to get a sunflower seed. At prime feeding times (early morning and just before dark), it is common to see six or eight of them lined up, ready to take their seeds. Unlike some of the visitors to our feeders, chickadees will share the bounty with other types of birds and the red squirrels.

After years of observing these delightful birds, we have come to realize that humans would do well to imitate many aspects of their behaviour!

Prayer: Lord, there seems to be a trend in our society for people to be self-centred, materialistic, and generally unhappy. We pray that the example of the chickadees will encourage us to approach life with joy, to treat others with respect, and to share what we have. Amen.