The Gift Not Asked For

© Marek Kosmal / photoXpress

Does your family write up gift lists?  My husband's family likes to take some time on Thanksgiving Day to have everyone write up "wish lists" which are then photocopied and distributed so that gift buyers can purchase a gift that will be desired and appreciated.

Not all families do this as formally.  My mom and uncle will call and ask me what the kids would like.  At times I ask the kids for suggestions; at times I just provide a suggestion of my own.

Parents-to-be and about-to-be-married couples create gift registries in the hopes of getting the items they want or need.

We've struggled with creating "wish lists" because we try not to encourage our children to have an "I want" attitude during the holidays.  We also try to give gifts with "meaning," rather than the latest pop CD, clothing that is too tight or low cut, or just a gift card that might be spent on something we wouldn't necessarily approve of.  

Wish lists tend to generate an expectation that one will be given what he wants.  Let's face it, a child can be handed a present and can often tell by the shape and size and weight of the box that it contains exactly what they'd asked for.  This also can generate a selfish disappointment (and crying and temper fits) when the item desired is not received.

Admittedly, coming up with my own gift suggestion for someone is often a dangerous task.  We have at times succeeded in giving gifts that generate squeals of delight, smiles and grateful hugs.  But we have also given gifts (probably more often) that are not appreciated and that we have found laying in a pile somewhere on a later visit (gifts such as games to encourage family time or good books to encourage spiritual growth).

Just a week ago, we celebrated receiving the greatest gift we could imagine -- the gift of a Savior.  But it was not the gift that so many expected.  Even though prophecy was pretty clear, over time, people had come to desire something else...someone else.  They came to believe they needed an earthly king, one who would conquer their oppressors, one who would set them free from the tyranny of the Romans.

Have you ever received a gift that you had absolutely no expectation of receiving, one that was a complete surprise, one that was exactly what you needed at that exact moment?  Have you ever had someone know you so intimately and so deeply that they could choose the "perfect" gift?

Carolyn Weber, in her book "Surprised by Oxford," which I am currently reading, states:  "Maybe...the gift is so profound, such a surprise, precisely because I did not ask."

What the Jews expected was not what they received.  But He WAS (and IS) exactly what was needed.

Still today, many go through life thinking the next "perfect" job, the next "perfect" house, the next "perfect" spouse, the next "perfect" car is all they need to make them happy.  Sadly, there is never the perfect anything.  But there is the Perfect Gift...the Perfect Person.

He is exactly what we need, even if He isn't on our wish list.

    He is the answer to the questions we may not even know we have.

        He is the goal to strive for in all our goal-setting for the new year.

            He is the summit of the mountain we're climbing, the finish line at the end of the race.

                He is the Beginning and the End.

                    He is the All in All.

If you've received The Gift, don't limit your appreciation of it to a couple weeks each December.  Daily thank the One who chose and paid for and gave this most precious gift.

If you haven't received The Gift, go HERE to learn more.