Extraordinary Gifts

12 Days of Christmas; Day Three

Have you ever received a gift for Christmas you will never forget? Something extraordinary? I have received a lot of wonderful gifts over the years, but one does stand out above the rest. And it was a surprise, even better!

My husband and I got engaged during the summer while we were working a volunteer job at a youth camp. He couldn't afford a ring at the time but said he would get one for me eventually, and I was content to wait. He surprised me with it on Christmas Eve of that same year, and I have that moment forever painted in my memory.

But even more than the engagement ring he gave to me, I see him as an extraordinary gift from my heavenly Father. A precious, priceless gift. I feel the same about my children and the life of ministry He has given us as a family. I am so grateful. I am beside myself with gratitude. I have been extraordinarily blessed.

There is a story in the book of Luke about a woman who was blessed by Jesus in an extraordinary way. Her only son had died, and she was a widow. Jesus "just happens" to be passing through her village on the day of his funeral, and He sees the procession taking her son to his grave. She is weeping. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!' he said. (Luke 7:13) Jesus proceeds to walk over to the coffin, touches it, and her son is restored to life.

This is certainly an extraordinary story, like many others Jesus was involved in. We don't know much beyond the short and simple narrative given in these few Bible verses. We don't know who this woman was or how her life was changed by this event. We do know the people who saw it were amazed and knew God had "visited" them. The news about Jesus spread throughout the region.

Personally, however, I believe Jesus did it mostly for this woman. The love He had for her surfaced, and He was merciful. He gave her what she needed. He didn't want her to be sad. He wanted her to be happy, and He wanted her to know God saw her. He knew about her pain and despair, and He brought hope to a hopeless situation.

In reading this story, I was reminded of another woman in the Bible. She too had lost her husband and had a son to care for on her own. Elijah, an Old Testament prophet, went to stay with her, and she fed him on her last bread rations, and then her supply of flour and oil never ran out! Later her son also died, Elijah pleaded for his life, and God raised him from the dead. After Elijah shows the woman her son is alive, she says, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the LORD truly speaks through you." (1 Kings 17:24)

Okay, back up. She didn't already believe that? God told her He was sending one of His prophets her way, Elijah shows up, and she suddenly has an unlimited supply of food? That wasn't enough for her to be convinced? She needed more?

But I'm often the same way. God shows me His presence, compassion, and abundant love daily, but still I doubt. How about you? What extraordinary gifts are under your Christmas life-tree? They are already unwrapped, opened, and plainly seen. People you love and those who love you. Your home, school, church, talents, opportunities, and life circumstances. They're a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and love. Extraordinary gifts you did nothing to earn or can explain. But there they are. Are you convinced?

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved