The Best Gift Exchange

My ten year old granddaughter, Amy, couldn't contain her excitement yesterday as we drove to the park. "I'm happy for you to meet my best friend, she said." I exclaimed: "Are you kidding me, Amy? I know how important a best friend is and I just know she is going to love the Christmas present you chose for her!"

We parked the van near the bench where her best friend sat next to her dad waiting patiently for the play date to begin. There's fun equipment to play on at the park, but Amy's bestie insisted they exchange gifts first. She couldn't wait to see Amy's reaction to the gift she carefully wrapped for her. Amy shouted with glee to receive a new sketchbook with watercolor markers. It was perfect! Her little friend smiled from ear to ear.

I'm asking myself if watching the girl's interaction at the park yesterday prompted my emotional response to this morning's devotional. Instead of reading it, I opted for the audio
narration of Luke, Chapter Two. I liked how the narrator's voice rose in pitch when she described the shepherds' excitement of finding the promise, a baby in the manger. They knew the importance of it all. When they returned to their everyday lives, they were changed forever. Imagine!

The narrator spoke of something which gripped my heart. "The Father was pleased (delighted, elated) to offer His children the very best gift--the gift of His one and only son."

Like Amy's bestie, our Father knows His gift is perfect for us, perfect like impeccable, faultless, marvelous. What could be better than perfect unconditional love, the kind of love that completes us--delivers us--heals our troubled hearts?

All we have to do is receive it!

I get distracted during the holidays. Will I find just the right gift to wrap and give? Will it be meaningful and will they love it as much as I love giving it?

These are the times I have to remind myself of the best gift of all. To think Father God is pleased to send His Son warms my heart! He's happy to win us back! My concerns grow dim and I'm back on track.

I like the hymn: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Jesus is the best gift.

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