There is a favorite family story from a Christmas years ago. My cousin Rita (who was 4 at the time) decided to get everyone a gift. She had no money; and yet she would proclaim, “Oh you’re really going to like your gift!”
With sheer joy, she wrapped each package with care and placed the items under the tree. As more gifts began to appear, little items seemed to go missing—a nail file, a favorite pair of earrings, a necktie.
On Christmas morning, the family opened gifts. Rita was right; they did love them. After all, the gifts she selected belonged to them in the first place!
As you unwrap gifts this Christmas, don’t forget to thank God for the spiritual gifts God has already given you.
Today we observe the Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day. This message was adapted from “No Exceptions” written by Angie Shannon that first appeared in the December 2010 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.