The Gift Of Christmas

"Christmas is all about the gift..."

Every year, as the wonder of Christmas rolls around, I’m delighted with all the festivities and celebrations. One of my greatest joys during this time of year is giving and receiving gifts with family members, loved ones, and friends.

I recall the magic of Christmas morning as a young child. Descending the stairs, I would slowly take in the wonder of the colorful wrapped gifts that had suddenly appeared under the Christmas tree, like the beautiful Madame Alexander doll dressed in her detailed red dress, white pinafore, and little black shoes. My “Jo” doll was so special, I was careful when I played with her. Now, years later, I still have my well-preserved doll from many Christmases past.

"I still treasure that gift..."

Another favorite Christmas gift and memory was a pair of white rain boots called “goulashes”. That one Christmas, I had to follow the detailed clues on a treasure hunt throughout the house to find my final gift hidden in the bathtub. These rain boots are designed to be worn over your shoes to keep your shoes from getting wet. But I loved those little rubber boots so much that I wanted to wear them daily! I even slept in them until my mother pulled them off my feet, declaring I’d get the sheets dirty. And once they grew too tight to wear over my shoes, I wore them alone—until they no longer fit. Clearly, as a young child, I loved those goulashes.

The gifts of Christmas bring back fond memories of my childhood and into my adult years:

When I lost a set of gold bangle bracelets, I despaired over the loss of that expensive birthday gift from my husband. Several years later, one Christmas, my husband handed me a solitary box. Inside was a large and engraved gold bracelet. I burst into tears. But when he handed me more boxes with 5 more gold bangles in various sizes, I cried even more… For what was lost or stolen was now restored to me all at once!

"I cried tears of joy..."

The gifts of Christmas bring back such fond memories.

Christmas is indeed a time of giving and receiving. The Father’s heart is no different. He longs to bless and restore our lives with priceless treasures or just delightful gifts. And He did that with the ultimate gift: the birth of His Son. But like any gift, we have to open it and receive it, and value and treasure it. Or like my little white boots, accept the gift, put it on, and walk in the gift God longs to give.

This Christmas, may you discover God’s great love for you anew or see the value in His Son and all He longs to bless your life with: the gift of peace, of joy, of love, of restoration, of family, of material blessings, and more. Receive the ultimate gift of Christmas!

"He is the ultimate gift..."

Beloved:

Do you know how much I love you? I long to bless your life with My goodness. It all begins in accepting the gift of My Son. This Christmas, will you receive what I have for you? Be like a child, and open your heart to Me and let the wonder of My goodness create awe in your heart. Simply receive!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)