It’s Jesus birthday. What can we give him? We can’t go to the store and buy him a shiny new bike, wrap it in sparkling paper, and put it under the tree. I don’t think he wants an Amazon gift card. How do we show him how much we love and appreciate all He’s done for us? It’s his birthday we are celebrating, after all.
One tradition our family does is a Gift to the King.
Each of us writes a note to Jesus and puts it under the tree. The gift is something from our heart. Over the years gifts have ranged from trusting God, being present, or being still. We share with each other what we are giving to Jesus. It’s humbling and awesome to watch God over the course of the year take simple gifts and make something beautiful out of them.
My gift last Christmas was to be present in 2018. As I look back over the year, I see how I’ve slowed down. Laughed more. Focused more. How I’ve said no to some things, so I could say yes to others. There are clothes strung around my bedroom and my floors aren’t swept. And I’m okay with that because instead I sat and watched Les Miserables with my daughter and played Exploding Kittens with my family this weekend. Present over perfect.
I just finished wrapping my gifts and they are under the tree—can’t wait to share with you after Christmas what my Gift to the King is. How about you? What gift are you giving Jesus this Christmas?
Exploding Kittens…LOL… Have a very Merry Christmas!
Present over perfect…love that!
Merry Christmas, Nancy. I am giving Jesus total surrender. I need to be prepared for whatever the future has in store, without second guessing God’s ways.
This is beautiful Nancy! Merry Christmas to you and your family! I am giving Jesus my trust and Sabbath. Time to be still. Time to thank Him for who He is, what He has done for me, and what He wants to do in and through me. Time to listen to hear His guidance. Time to rest in Him.
Such a loving gift to give to God, to be present in 2018. When I look back over 2018 I see that you truly were present for Him through the year, both in the good times and in the hard times.
You challenge me! This is good. I will pray and ask our Lord what gift I can give him in 2019.