The Box

If you happened to peek under our tree, you might discover a curious package, wrapped in lovely birthday paper and adorned with curly yellow ribbon. While it looks like a lovely gift waiting to be opened, there is an odd hole cut in the middle. You might wonder why a birthday present was found beneath the bows of an evergreen tree. Or you might sit puzzled by the small hole found near the center.

The word Christmas is a perfect clue, because it contains what the present is about- Christ.

This gift is the most important one that will ever find its way to our home every Christmas season. For its rightful owner is the true meaning of Christmas, and why we celebrate this glorious holiday. The givers are many and the box is filled with pure love, acts of kindness and bits of service performed on His behalf.

Every year, when the tree is brightly lit and presents are piling beside, we place a very special gift along side. It is for our Savior from us. We filled the box with slips of paper telling of the gifts we are giving to Him this year to help celebrate his birth, life and death and ultimate Resurrection. This present helps us to keep the focus on the real reason for the season and pass along bits of Christmas cheer to others.

From helping Mom with the baby, to picking up toys in the basement, to helping a teacher at gym class to saying hello to a stranger walking by- all are pieces of our gift to our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is my favorite Christmas tradition and one I hope my children will continue on and on, because the ones who share in this gift, are guaranteed a wonderful holiday season and blessings beyond measure.