Christmas is a time of joy and laughter, of mending fences and exchanging glances across a cider filled room, and of love and friendship. "I hate you, I got you SOCKS" is exactly what I yelled as I heard the strings vibrate in the box. *Theres absolutely no way he got me a ukulele for Christmas* is the thought I'd had only four days prior when he'd asked my favorite color and I saw the lavender one in store. But there I stood, at 12 am in the kitchen, pulling my new instrument from the oddly shaped box. Never before have I received more than I have given, and only one other time have I been so overwhelmed with a gift. My love language is giving, which is something I've known since I was seven years old and wanted to buy bracelets for the girl who was coming over to babysit. I like to believe I can see what people would truly want, and have given the gift of a favorite movie's screenplay, random concert tickets, and this year I even wrote my best friend a song. Still only once have I been given a gift that is so suited to me and my personality, so thought through, that was never asked for, yet truly touched my heart. As I stood there at the table, tired as heck, I didn't even know what to think. This gift of music, along with a book I had mentioned a whole month earlier, was almost too much to handle as I didn't know why and how I could deserve them and this wonderful friendship. The thing is that I don't deserve this friendship, but it is still one I have been blessed with and one I cherish. I also don't deserve the gift of Jesus' sweet redeeming mercy, yet tomorrow that is what we celebrate. If I thought the gift of socks was no comparison to what I was given the other night then there is no way I can ever repay my God for what He gave me when He sent His son. But just as I will celebrate this friendship I will celebrate this gift. One that came so simply, to change the world and in turn change my life. The gift that gave me this friendship, and the one I do my best to live for each and every day. I hope that this Christmas you get your socks blown off by an unexpected gift, because after having experienced it for the second time I can tell you there's almost nothing better than receiving something that tells you "you are truly known." What's more is I hope you can celebrate something new with me this year. I pray we can celebrate a new feeling of wonder at this unexpected, undeserved, and unrelenting gift of Christ, love, and eternity.
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