The Present

I got an email from my mom today asking me what I wanted for Christmas. For a while now I haven't been able to think of anything I want for Christmas.

You see, what I really want is for my daughter, Ellie, to come home. All the material presents in the world just don't seem to hold weight compared to that. This year I have found my heart more interested in how I can help others who don't have and who need rather than to get presents or spend large sums of money on things that my child, friends, parents, etc. don't really need. I thought of our angel we adopted this year. I'd rather spend money on him and his family. I know they need it. I thought of another family we will help. I thought of the Lottie Moon offering for foreign missions. I continually think of all the babies and children all over the world who will get nothing. I think of those same people who don't even have the basic necessities of life. How can a new coffee maker or pair of pajamas make me happy? It's just stuff.

And then, it hit me, like it never has before -- my joy this Christmas is truly seeing other people accept the gifts that I offer to them. I think I know, a little anyway, how Jesus must feel everytime someone accepts His gift of salvation. He doesn't want anything from us - except for us to accept His present. He is The Gift.

It was an "a ha" moment. It has made Christmas better, already, than in years past. I still can't think of a single thing I'd like for Christmas. Blessed? -- unbelievably so.

Granted, I still would like to have Ellie home for Christmas, but that, my friends, would take a true Christmas miracle.