I know dear Father that when my girls were little, I taught them this tradition of writing a letter to you around Christmastime as a way to reflect on the years, the bountiful gifts—and not just the material ones—but more importantly, those other kinds of gifts. The letter was also a way of organizing thoughts of future goals, and requests to Him for the up coming year. Today it is me: your little big-girl writing.
…
I can’t even begin to comprehend all you have done this year, and it would take me hours to write it all down. I also truthfully have my mind all over the place and I can’t seem to organize my thoughts. Like a little child, it is all so much I can’t think. A child has the excitement of all that is coming, up on Christmas they wait with great anticipation the gifts they are to receive and I am truly excited for what is to come. But unlike a child who still has their innocence, I am overwhelmed with life’s stresses and concerns. I pray and leave them all at your feet. Father, I thank You that You are not Santa or some other such made-up belief, a figment of my imagination. I know You will finish what You have started and that Your Word never goes void. I thank You for the healing in my body. I thank You that even though I was hospitalized this past week, I am home and that You are watching over my kids. I thank You for answered prayers in our financial issues. Thank You for a friend who loves unconditionally and sticks it out with my girls and me. I was in the hospital and felt so alone at times, but I had a friend who patiently called nine times throughout this one day. She either got voicemail or I had to hang up because they kept on coming in; still, she persistently called and didn’t give up. Thank You Lord for all you give. This upcoming year, I pray You make me ever so patient and giving. As I write this, the same friend gave us money for us to have a Christmas breakfast or dinner. God, make me that giving in every area. I love You my Lord, and most of all this Christmas thank You for sending baby Jesus and for the fact that it didn’t end there—from baby Jesus to dying to resurrecting to the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord!
I read how the gift of baby Jesus is a gift that is priceless but it is so pure and never gets old or tainted. It is indeed preserved for us in heaven where we are going to one day enjoy that gift and many more for all eternity. I also read in Esther and contemplated on the fact that gifts should not just be on Christmas; we ought to give gifts on many special occasions. In Esther, we read how they gave gifts to commemorate the freeing of the Jews from Haman. I read how they celebrated by giving one another gifts. I was also impressed by the fact that even though they were told they could take plunder, they didn’t. There is so much to learn from this one chapter in Esther but how awesome it is to give to each other for it is better to give than to receive. What a mighty God we serve.
“to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”
I Peter 1:4 NKJV
“The remainder of the Jews in the king’s provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.”
Esther 9:16 NKJV
“as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.”
Esther 9:22 NKJV
Leave a Reply