The Gift
What's the most precious, most special Christmas gift you've ever received? Most of us are so blessed, it hard to remember. I can remember some of my most special gifts when I was a child. My wife Donna has given me some very special gifts over the years. But one Christmas, six years ago, really stands out. Not because of the monetary value of the gift, but the care and love with which it was given.

My special Christmas present was a set of screw drivers and screwdriver rack. It was given to me by my nine and half year old son. At that point in his life, he was a real money hound. He carefully saved his money so he could have the latest Nintendo game. So when he bought me a Christmas present, he spent his own money he had been saving. On top of this, he was very careful about purchasing his gift. He planned ahead, agonizing over what to get. He then spent over an hour selecting just the right one he wanted.

He had observed that I could never find my screw drivers. He decided I needed some new ones and a way to keep up with them. So he got me some new screwdrivers and a rack to place them in. On a $2 a week allowance, it was an expensive gift. Given with excitement and care, it was his offering time, work, and love to his father. His gift was a treasure.

As I reflect back now on the meaning of this Christmas, I think of all the precious gifts God has given me and I have to ask myself, when was the last time I gave my heavenly Father a screwdriver set and storage rack? When was the last time I gave an offering of time, work, and love to a Father I adored? Then I made a commitment that I would try to make my Father's Christmas as special to Him as my son made Christmas for me!
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
(Hebrews 13:15-16)