If you scroll way, way down to the bottom of my blog you'll see a little button that tells you today (Sunday) is my "Blogoversary"; the one year anniversary of Falling Like Rain.  Actually, I've had the blog a little more than a year, but the oldest post I saved is from one year ago today.  I'm re-posting it in honor of the occasion. I find it slightly ironic that I cannot get the font corrected.  Do you remember all the trouble we were having with HSB this time last year, before the upgrade?  It seems appropriate, then that I should have a problem formatting this post.  Ah, memories.   

The Perfect Gift 

With my two ds having birthdays in November, then Christmas in December, and my dd having a birthday in January I have spent the better part of two months planning parties and shopping for gifts.  There have also been friend's birthday parties to attend and shop for as well as Christmas parties to attend with gift exchanges.  Buying just the right gift has been a pursuit of mine for at least eight weeks and we aren't finished yet. 

Now, if I am going to buy a gift I want it to be a blessing to the person receiving.  I want to give something they'll really use, really enjoy.  I even want the gift wrap to be just right; it needs to color coordinate with the gift or the theme of the party.  I mean, I'm going to buy wrapping paper anyway, it might as well match.  Care and thought are given to the age, gender, hobbies, favorite colors, and special interests of the person I am buying for. I also pray as I shop knowing that God can lead me to just the right gift; that one item that will really make someone's day that I would never have considered on my own.  More than once my dc have returned from a party announcing, "They really loved our gift!".  Prayer works.  It should be no surprise that God cares about the gifts we give since He is the author of giving. 

No matter how well chosen, however, our gifts to others are temporary as are any feelings of happiness they might evoke.  No matter what I buy for my children, it will eventually wear out, become damaged, be outgrown.  The perfect gift last year is decidedly the wrong gift this year.  In the end, a Christmas gift cannot make someone happy.  It cannot bring joy or relieve suffering for more than a moment.   I cannot wrap joy in Christmas paper and put it under the tree.  God has already given the perfect gift, indeed, the only gift.  Any gift-giving we do is merely an imitation.  If people are not happy, peaceful, and joyful because of the gift of Christ sent to the world in a manger, then they will not ever be happy with my Christmas offerings.  I do not have to buy the perfect gift or create for my family the perfect Christmas.   

So, while we have trimmed our tree, wrapped our packages, watched Christmas movies, and eaten (too much) Christmas candy, we are not waiting for December 25th to see what we will get for Christmas.  We already have our Gift, and He is perfect.