The Greatest Gift

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

When I was young, my mother went out of her way to get my sister and me so excited about Christmas that we had a hard time going to sleep. Christmas morning found us up at dawn pacing the floor outside Mom and Dad's bedroom, listening for any sound of movement. Trying to wake them up, I would cough, sneeze and clear my throat. I did not realize they had spent all night getting everything ready for us.

One particular year, when they finally woke up, we all went downstairs. Dad went first to prepare the camera to capture our expressions when we saw our gifts. Bicycles! We raced to our bikes, hopped on, and tried to ride them in the house. Mom stopped us saying, "Look, there are other gifts under the tree, too." I could have cared less about those other gifts—I had a bike, and that was good enough for me.

As I grew up, I learned that getting gifts is nice, but giving feels the best. Now that I have raised my own children, I wish I had a picture of the look on my parents' faces when we got those bicycles. How much more excited must God be when we receive His gift of salvation.

The Christmas season is a time to remember the meek entrance of our Savior into this world. The baby Jesus born in a manger with Joseph and Mary looking upon their innocent child, the greatest gift this world will ever know.

Father, thank You for the greatest gift of all. Amen.

© Marcella Panowicz 2010