Twelve Christmases ago, I received an unforgettable gift. I hadn’t been living in Chattanooga long, only about 4 months or so. There was a young man in my life at that time named Michael Day. He was sweet and kind, a gentleman, handsome and a fabulous musician.
As Christmas approached, I became concerned about the prospect of gift -giving. I had no idea what to give Michael – and I couldn’t help but wonder what he might give me. When you’re in a fresh relationship it can be a delicate situation. At any rate, I had no idea that I was in for the surprise of my life.
I left town the week before Christmas to spend the holiday with my family. We made plans that my mom, at the end of that week, would bring me from Ohio half way back to Chattanooga. Michael would meet us somewhere in Kentucky to bring me back the rest of the way home.
And that’s exactly what we did. My mom and I said our goodbyes on the front porch of the Cracker Barrel, I loaded up my luggage into the car and Michael and I headed for home. We drove about 2 or 3 miles down the interstate and Michael pulled off of I-75 at the Clay’s Ferry exit. He said he had a gift for me. We parked in an empty parking lot out in the middle of nowhere in Kentucky and he played a CD for me.
We listened as snow fell. It was my song, forever after known as Clay’s Ferry because that’s where I heard it for the first time. He had written a song and recorded it on his guitar. It was amazing. There were no words – just incredibly beautiful music. Without lyrics, he was declaring his love for me and I could feel the gentle harmonies wrapping around me like a warm blanket on that very cold winter afternoon.
*sigh*
Today, on a day when most people are getting their Christmas shopping started, I am stumped. I am having a hard time thinking about giving. My typical shopping list is blank this year. I’ve got nothing…. which is why I had to go back in time to dwell on that amazing gift, given to me by my husband. It gets me into a generous frame of mind when I think of those precious moments.
It would be hard for me to imagine giving extravagantly, if I hadn’t been given such a meaningful, loving gift.
And that brings me to the heart of the matter. One of the most incredible, sacrificial, loving and generous gifts ever given, was purchased for me, by my Heavenly Father when he gave us His Son so many years ago. At least His incarnation was the beginning of the plan. A tiny baby, the King of the Universe – was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in a blanket, laid in a manger. He had come to earth – with the salvation of the entire world in His future.
When I take a moment to really let this settle into my heart and mind, I realize that I am able to give to others out of the abundance of love that I have received from the Heavenly Father. I’m unable to give the way He has given to me – its not possible. I have no idea if I can give gifts that even come close to the Clay’s Ferry song. But my presents this year can be given with a heart full of love and there is no better gift.
amen.
daily portion 
Beautiful.