Grandma’s Tree

Grandma & Papa’s tree sat on a small table. It was full of blinking, colorful, bright lights. It wasn’t big, but I really loved looking at it with eager anticipation. The tree represented time with cousins, opening gifts, and the wonder of the Christmas Season. One of my favorite memories of Papa & Grandma’s tree was when I was just 4 years old. Though a small tree, grandma managed to put all the gifts underneath and around it.

It was time to open our gifts and I was anxiously waiting to hear my name. One by one each cousin’s name was called. I waited patiently, knowing I had to be next. There had to be a present under the tree for me, right? With each new name that was called, I began to get nervous. As time went on and each cousin’s name was being called to open their gift, I realized there simply weren’t enough gifts under the tree for all of us.

I don’t remember who was handing out gifts, but I do remember them saying there was only one present left under the tree and the last name was to be announced. So, when another cousin’s name was announced and I didn’t receive a gift, you can imagine the tears welling up in my eyes. They forgot about me. How could this be?

Just when the tears were ready to flow hard, my papa came walking from the back room holding a blanket. He said he just remembered there was one last gift. What could it possibly be? What was in the blanket? To my surprise and delight swaddled in the blanket was a perfect, amazing little puppy.

I went from feeling left out to favored, sad to happy, broken hearted to happy hearted. It’s amazing what one gift can do.

It’s amazing what one gift can do.

Years later, as I recall the special gift I received when I was 4, I can’t help but think of the most precious gift of all. As much as I loved receiving the puppy, there is one gift that is so much better.

It’s the gift of eternal life. This gift came in the form of a beautiful baby boy.  It’s the gift of a Savior. It’s the gift of a King. It’s the gift of Jesus. There’s no price tag on this gift. It’s free. You don’t have to do anything special for this gift to be yours. The gift of Christmas is the gift of Christ.

You just need to receive. When you receive the gift of Jesus, you receive forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and an eternal home. You receive a heavenly father, a friend, and a comforter. You receive peace, hope, love, and guidance. You receive grace and mercy.

It’s amazing what one gift can do.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17