Valuing Our Greatest Gift
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6 ESV)
My worst Christmas was the year we almost had a white Christmas.
Snow is a rare event in southern Louisiana. And snow on the ground for Christmas—well, that only happens in our dreams.
But, wonder of wonders, one year, a few days before Christmas, wisps of white began drifting down from the clouds. Snowflakes continued to fall, and the snow actually stayed on the ground.
Ordinarily, I would have been excited at the prospect of a white Christmas, but my family was going through a tough time that year. My grandmother was dying. My father, recovering from yet another surgery, lay in a hospital bed, and his chronic illness was taking a toll on my mother. Once again, she insisted on sleeping in a lumpy chair in Daddy’s hospital room. Because they were both at the hospital, my mentally handicapped brother was staying with me.
Oh, and my dog had become partially paralyzed.
Snow and ice can derail those who are unprepared. Travel can turn deadly for people who put salt on their crawfish but not on their roads, and a few inches of snow will shut down a town. So when snow began to fall, my husband couldn’t make it home from work.
As those fabulous flakes came fluttering down, I was fretting. Worried about my parents and grandmother. Wondering when my husband would be able to get home. Concerned about the little black-and-tan dachshund who was dragging his hindquarters in the snow. Wondering how I would care for my two little boys and my brother. We were snowed in, and if an emergency were to arise, I doubted I’d be able to fulfill my responsibilities as adult-in-charge.
But the snow event was short-lived, and in a day or two, the roads were once again passable. My dad was discharged from the hospital, our frozen pipes thawed, and Christmas came on schedule.
On Christmas morning, two little boys in black Batman pajamas squealed with excitement as they tore red and green paper from their packages. The tap-tap-tap of electronic drums and the twang of a toy guitar filled the house with a joyful noise.
I received a single present, a gift my older son had made in Sunday school. I removed the wrapping paper from a cardboard box. The box contained a single sheet of paper declaring, “Jesus is the best gift of all.”
I wish I could say I was delighted with the gift. But that year’s Christmas photo tells a different story. The photo shows me sitting beside the Christmas tree. My eyes are downcast, and my smile is forced.
I remember thinking, Is this all I get?
You’ve heard of a “face only a mother can love”? I felt like a person only the Savior could love. And, I reasoned, God probably only loves me because, as my Creator, he’s obliged to love me.
I was losing the people who’d cared for me. I yearned to be a child again. I didn’t want spiritual blessings. I wanted my loved ones to be safe and well. I wanted snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. (Well, maybe not snow. I’d had enough of that.)
My little pity party caused me to miss this most important truth: Jesus is the best gift. As the years went on, that gift would prove more valuable than anything wrapped in tissue and tied with ribbon.
When my father died, I relied on my Everlasting Father. When my mother also became frail, and I could no longer call her for advice, Jesus became my Wonderful Counselor.
Even during the most tumultuous period of my life, I discovered my true Prince of Peace. He calmed my heart and set me on my feet again.
When I received a scary medical diagnosis and realized I might die, I recognized that our Mighty God has given me the greatest gift of all, the gift of salvation. Because I know my future is secure, I can gaze into eternity without fear.
Let’s not underestimate the valuable treasure we possess. Jesus is the best gift of all.
Thank you, God, for the Child who was born to us, the Son who was given to bring eternal life. We trust you; you are our Wonderful Counselor who gives us direction in the midst of our confusion. Mighty God, we often feel powerless as we face frightening circumstances. Come and take control. Everlasting Father, come and fill us with your incomparable love. Prince of Peace, calm our troubled minds. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:45-46 ESV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33 ESV)
Reach for More
If this holiday season isn’t promising to provide the holly jolly Christmas of your dreams, take some time to lay aside your worries and be still. Remind yourself of ways God has provided for you in the past, and trust him for your future. Ask God to open your eyes to the valuable gifts you already possess.
spends most days teaching a classroom full of lively five-and six-year-olds. She’s attracted to be fragrance of vanilla, the printed word, and all things blue and white. She delights in spending time with her husband and family, singing praises with her church choir peeps, and traveling. Her heart’s desire is to know God better and learn to trust him more. You can read more of her writing at MargaretKemp.com.
Photograph © Mariola Grobelska, used with permission
