~*The Best Gifts Aren't Wrapped*~

I've been stressed about Christmas--what should I do for gifts this year? Somehow, I got lost in the commercialism of the holiday.  I've been trying to get into the Christmas spirit but every time I turn around I'm hearing different things in the media, in the crowds at the stores, etc. about getting the 'perfect gift'. But as I thought about the 'perfect gift' I couldn't think of anything  material that I just had to have that would make me happy. Sure, there's things I think about I would like to have...esp. a toaster since mine is from our wedding--13 years ago!  I've looked at all of the top of the line toasters, ones that cook bagels and belgian waffles. It would nice to have one, but I think it's something I could live without.

Saturday Austin surprised me with decorating our entire Christmas tree by himself and Dylan folded the laundry for me. When I got home from the store, the tree was decorated, the laundry was folded and I was greeted at the door with a big hug. I thought, what better gift than to have my kids help me out and greet me with affection. It's those kind of gifts that are the best gifts--the ones that aren't wrapped. They don't come decorated with shiny paper and big bows. The best gifts are those things we do for each other to show our love and support for one another.

As a nurse I see alot of illness, pain, and suffering. I once took care of a sweet lady who was acutely ill and had a delicate health condition.  Her sweet husband stayed at the hospital day and night worried about her. He would get up in the middle of the night and check on her to see if she was ok.  He clearly didn't ever get enough sleep, but he stayed by her side until she was well enough to leave the hospital. It was sweet to see someone be there for his sweetheart in the most difficult of situations and not get frustrated and want to leave and give up on everything.  I believe in some way, his love and attention gave her the strength to keep trying and helped her get well enough to leave the hospital.  He gave her the gift of unconditional love--the best give of all.  It wasn't wrapped in pretty paper, it didn't shine and sparkle--but he shined. He sparkled. When he talked about her getting her better, his eyes lit up--his love made him sparkle.

The ultimate gift we have been given at Christmas was not wrapped in shiny paper in a big box with bows.  It was a child born in a stable, God's child, who one day grew to love God's children enough to sacrifice his life for us all. A Christ-child born in a manger, in lowly circumstances, grew to be a prophet, taught us that unconditional love was the 'pefect gift', and sacrificed His life for us. 

The best gifts definitely aren't wrapped in shiny paper, with big pretty bows. They are gifts of love, acts of kindness, and  sacrifice.  Sure, it's easy to get caught up in the Holiday frenzy about what are we going to get for this person or that person. But the gift of love--the gift that's not wrapped--is the best gift of all and the sweet  memories those gifts give us last far longer than any material gift we could ever give.