The Christmas Gift
All Christmas gifts are special; however, some of them are remembered longer. For example, I still remember the Christmas morning when I unwrapped my BB gun. Weeks of hint dropping, outright begging and more than one “note to Santa” left out for Mom and Dad to see paid off – I received my BB rifle and I was ecstatic. The presents from Mom and Dad were special, but the ones from Grandpa and Grandma were awesome – the toys, the money, the special briefcase – all are remembered.
Then there were the gifts I received from my children – the handmade Penguins, the special ring, the bottles of Old Spice, and the homemade music CD are still remembered fondly. Presents from my wife ranked higher than Grandpa and Grandma gifts. She would always astound and surprise me with her thoughtfulness and caring. It was if she could read my mind and give to me that for which my heart yearned. She was a master.
I also remember those special gifts I was able to give to others. I can still see their faces alight in wonder, turned to joy, turned to excitement. I longed to have at least one gift per person that had the “Wow! I can’t believe you gave it to me!” quality. Some of the times I would succeed and then the gift gave twice, once to the person I was giving to and once for the joy it gave me.
Yes, Christmas is about gifts – those we receive and those we give. This Christmas I have been given a very special and wonderful gift – the gift of cancer surgery. Now there are some who read this that may think that cancer surgery is not a very special and wonderful gift, but to those people I say, “Yes it is.” I have been given the gift of drawing nearer to my Savior. I have been given the gifts of people praying for me – by name. I have been given the gift of perspective – things no longer matter as much as relationships. I have been given the gift of being able to witness to my doctors, nurses and all those who will listen. I have been given a time to draw near as a family, to cuddle with my wife and rely fully on God’s provision. Oh what great gifts these are.
This Christmas I have also been given the gift of celebration! I celebrate the birth of Jesus, my Savior, my Redeemer. Jesus gives me the gift of eternal life. That puts all my trials in perspective. Nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus, and Jesus loves me so much that He paid my price for sin. Through Him I inherit eternal life! I will not die – I will just move from this earth to a new earth. That is awesome.
I also have the opportunity to give a present to Jesus this Christmas. I will give to Him my heart, my devotion, my trust, my praise, my prayers, and my life. All that I am and do will be given to Him.
I pray that you, too, recognize the great Christmas gift you have in Jesus – our Savior – born in Bethlehem.
Blessings
All Christmas gifts are special; however, some of them are remembered longer. For example, I still remember the Christmas morning when I unwrapped my BB gun. Weeks of hint dropping, outright begging and more than one “note to Santa” left out for Mom and Dad to see paid off – I received my BB rifle and I was ecstatic. The presents from Mom and Dad were special, but the ones from Grandpa and Grandma were awesome – the toys, the money, the special briefcase – all are remembered.
Then there were the gifts I received from my children – the handmade Penguins, the special ring, the bottles of Old Spice, and the homemade music CD are still remembered fondly. Presents from my wife ranked higher than Grandpa and Grandma gifts. She would always astound and surprise me with her thoughtfulness and caring. It was if she could read my mind and give to me that for which my heart yearned. She was a master.
I also remember those special gifts I was able to give to others. I can still see their faces alight in wonder, turned to joy, turned to excitement. I longed to have at least one gift per person that had the “Wow! I can’t believe you gave it to me!” quality. Some of the times I would succeed and then the gift gave twice, once to the person I was giving to and once for the joy it gave me.
Yes, Christmas is about gifts – those we receive and those we give. This Christmas I have been given a very special and wonderful gift – the gift of cancer surgery. Now there are some who read this that may think that cancer surgery is not a very special and wonderful gift, but to those people I say, “Yes it is.” I have been given the gift of drawing nearer to my Savior. I have been given the gifts of people praying for me – by name. I have been given the gift of perspective – things no longer matter as much as relationships. I have been given the gift of being able to witness to my doctors, nurses and all those who will listen. I have been given a time to draw near as a family, to cuddle with my wife and rely fully on God’s provision. Oh what great gifts these are.
This Christmas I have also been given the gift of celebration! I celebrate the birth of Jesus, my Savior, my Redeemer. Jesus gives me the gift of eternal life. That puts all my trials in perspective. Nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus, and Jesus loves me so much that He paid my price for sin. Through Him I inherit eternal life! I will not die – I will just move from this earth to a new earth. That is awesome.
I also have the opportunity to give a present to Jesus this Christmas. I will give to Him my heart, my devotion, my trust, my praise, my prayers, and my life. All that I am and do will be given to Him.
I pray that you, too, recognize the great Christmas gift you have in Jesus – our Savior – born in Bethlehem.
Blessings