A Special Gift For You

December 23, 2001
Someone special has a Christmas present for you. It is beautifully wrapped in sparkling colors. It is something you have always wanted. It is something you have longed for in the deepest recesses of your heart. There is no other gift in all the world like it.

It is uniquely made, just for you. It is not a one size fits all, but a custom made gift with you in mind. You cannot earn this gift. You can only receive it.

Once you open your gift, you will never be the same. This gift changes your life forever. Upon receiving this gift, burdens are taken away and each day becomes an exciting adventure. You see your world in a different light. You walk to a different drumbeat. Situations that seemed impossible now appear with amazing possibilities.

Attitudes take on different meanings and joy is found in simple pleasures. Darkness fades away and light illuminates your pathway. This gift is priceless. There is not enough money, gold or silver to buy it. Yet the Giver thinks you're worth it. The size of the Giver's love for you cannot be measured. It is endless. I have received this gift with gladness. I pray you will receive too, if you haven't already. I found so many wonderful things in my gift...love, joy, forgiveness, faith, peace and hope just to mention a few. I found everything I have ever needed. My gift makes Christmas extra special. It is Jesus' birthday and I want to give Him the best gift I have to give, my heart.

My Christmas tree reminds me to stretch toward heaven, ever growing, living and straining forward to reach the prize of the heavenly calling. "I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us" (Philippians 3:14 TLB).

The lights on my tree remind me He is the "Light of the world" and His Word is a "lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). The celebration of Christmas begins with the giving of life through God's Son. Even the Wise Men's gifts had great significance. The power of a great King was shown in gold. Frankincense displayed His divine majesty. Incense foretold of the sacrifice this Child Jesus would become. Myrrh painted the way to Calvary, for this very end was the Christ Child born.

The candy canes on my tree represent the shepherd's crook. Its white form stands for holiness, the red stripes for Jesus' blood shed on our account. Even the flavor of peppermint recalls the biblical herb, hyssop, used as a flavoring and a medicine. To me, this points to Jesus ministry of healing and the wholeness He made available to us all.

Jesus came to dwell among us, that by Him, in Him and through Him...to the glory of the Father...all honor is due, now and forever. He is the One who has come to us. Let us make every day a time for coming to Him.

Receive your Christmas present and open it with gladness, because whatever you need, you will find it in your gift. "It is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Please allow me to share a poem, written by my 96 years-young friend. His name is Fred and he lives in the Seattle area. The following poem was sent to me for the New Year. It contains my thoughts for you too:

"This morning as I rose from bed and saw the sun above,

I softly said, "Good Morning, God, bless everyone I love."

And right away I thought of you and said a loving prayer

That He would bless you specially and keep you free from care.

I thought of all the happiness your day could hold in store

And wished it all for you, because no one deserves it more.

I felt so warm and good inside, my heart was all aglow.

I know God heard my prayers for you, He hears them all you know."

Merry Christmas dear reader!