I learned from my 7 year old daughter Ryleigh this week. It was a typical morning; my alarm chimed at 5 am singing, “It’s time for the day to begin.” I yawned, stretched and started to step into the typical rhythms of the day. I worked out, showered and flipped the lights on to awaken my three children. I was assisting them with their routines when I decided to go and be with my 7 year old twin girls, Ellie and Ryleigh as they dressed for the day. I reclined on my son’s spider man bed when Ryleigh began to answer a question for me I have carried around for close to 30 years. My question has been, if Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday then what can I give to Him on His birthday? How do I give Him a gift when I cannot physically give Him a gift? How do I bring a gift to Him that has been wrapped with care and then torn open by Him? I want to see His eyes light up with delight with what is inside. Tearing me from my slow uncaffeinated thoughts Ryleigh, began to ask my question, the question I have asked for so long. My heart started to pick up its pace and my mind started racing for an answer. In my mind I knew my question would be transferred to the next generation. “Mom, what can I give Jesus when it is His birthday?” But she did not stop with her questions, she answered the question. “Mom, I am the gift. I am the present He wants...we are the present He wants.”
My 30 year old question which I thought would be repeated by my daughter was actually then answered through her. She opened my eyes to the fact that when I give myself to Jesus on Christmas and any day of the year, He runs to me with excitement and His eyes light up with delight when He sees what is inside. His eyes light up because He wants me.
I sat with that thought in my car after I took Ryleigh to school and pondered the wise men and the shepherds and how they eventually made their ways to Jesus and they were not empty handed. The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. The shepherds potentially brought their sheep and basic necessities but really what we know is that they brought themselves. What was the better gift? The wisemen’s which had high monetary value or the shepherds who maybe only brought themselves? The gift that was required was not the gifts in and of themselves but the fact that they came, they showed up. They gave of themselves, their time and their adoration.
May it be remembered this season that it is not what you do, where you travel, what you physically or monetarily give that is what brightens Jesus’ eyes. It is you and only you that is what is wanted and desired. It is your cherished pure heart that He desires and wants this Christmas. The questions that you may carry no longer have to go unanswered but are answered through the giving of your life to the One who has given His life for you. As He opens your heart this Christmas may you also open yours to Him and allow Him to brighten your eyes with an excitement that is yours for the taking when you open your eyes to Him and anticipate what He has done, is doing and will do with your life. You are the perfect gift this Christmas. Jesus beckons you to Him and holds the answer to your questions. Will you answer the call and give of your life this Christmas? You no longer have to search for the perfect gift for Jesus because the person sitting behind this screen reading this blog is the perfect gift. You are the one He longs for this Christmas. The faith of Ryleigh, my 7 year old daughter has opened my eyes to the heart behind Christmas. I wonder what other questions my children will help me answer.
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