WRAPPING UP LOVE TO GIVE TO JESUS

Planning for a Special Birthday

A friend from church was kind enough to invite my children, along with other families, to visit her family’s home and celebrate Christmas with a birthday party for Jesus. The children were to bring a baby-related present for Jesus, which would be given to a local outreach. Her party was carefully planned with love and focused completely on the Savior. And what a reminder it was to me…

I told my tiny children about the party and that we were going to go to the store where each of them could buy a present for Jesus. I explained that because Jesus is no longer a baby, the gift would be given to another baby who needs it, and I shared with them that the Bible tells us whatever we do for others is like doing it for Jesus.

Ava immediately ran to her room and came back carrying a baby rattle, which was hers when she was a baby but was currently being enjoyed by her dolls. She joyfully said to me, “Look, Mommy! I want to give my baby’s rattle to Jesus!” After reminding my four year old that if she gave the rattle, she would no longer be able to play with it, she responded, “But Mommy, giving it to a real baby is so much more important.” So, with that, she cheerfully marched off with her baby rattle and wrapped it very carefully, so it would be ready to take to the party along with another gift we would purchase.

Giving a Special Gift

The party date soon arrived, and we took our baby gifts. Our hostess, Shannon, did a wonderful and refreshing job of incorporating the meaning of Jesus’ birth into everything she planned. There was a constructed manger and star in the corner where Ava and Landon placed their gifts along with other children’s upon arriving at the party. Later, after several fun activities, it was time to unwrap the gifts for baby Jesus. When it was time, each child took a turn selecting a gift to unwrap. I wasn’t sure how the idea of very young children unwrapping gifts but not taking them home was going to go, but the children didn’t mind at all. Eventually, a little girl chose Ava’s small gift wrapped in purple construction paper. Ava quietly watched while the little girl unwrapped the rattle and placed it with the other opened gifts. Later during the party, I looked back over and noticed the rattle sitting right on top of the gifts just under the manger, and I began to cry.

A Heart Full of Love

My heart was full as I pondered the sweet “sacrificial” gift my daughter selected, wrapped, gave, and let go. There it was, small and used, sitting among many gifts, but somehow it was special – special because of the love that went into giving it. I hope my heart can give that joyfully and freely to Jesus, because Jesus has certainly given freely and sacrificially to me.