Gifts Given by Grace

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Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ~1 Peter 4:10

In the lyrics of the 'Little Drummer Boy' the singer relates how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the nativity where, without a gift for the infant Jesus he played his drum.  There are many different accounts of the little boy who played the drums for the baby Jesus.  Was he the son of a shepherd in the fields nearby or was he the son of the innkeeper?  It is unclear, but it is certain that he was a poor boy with a gift for playing the drums slowly and methodically with a beautiful beat and sound.

As I listened to the Christmas song on the radio, I thought about what gifts the Lord has given my children.  Have I recognized their individual God-given gifts, and have I acknowledged and nurtured them?  What non-monetary gifts would they give to the newborn King?  What gifts from the heart could they give to others for Christmas?

Quickly, certain gifts entered my mind.  My oldest daughter has the gift of organization.  I try to envision her at the stable, making sure all the bowls of water are filled for the animals and that they have plenty to eat; the barn floor is neat and orderly; Mary is comfortable and has everything she needs.  Mason has the gift of carpentry.  I can see him repairing the barn walls with nails that he forged with the blacksmith's help, so as to keep the chill of the cold winter night out of the barn.  He fixes the barn door so that it doesn't squeak in the night to wake the baby Jesus.  He is quick to ask Joseph and Mary, "How can I help?"  All the while, he ponders how many nights they can survive in the stable with the dropping temperatures.  My youngest daughter is sitting at the feet of the sleeping baby.  She wants to be right beside Him.  She is sweet and settled in with big eyes as she stares at her Savior.  I can picture her singing a sweet song; maybe 'Amazing Grace' or 'Jesus Loves the Little Children.'

I pondered these things and after I explained the song to them, I asked them, "What are some gifts that you would give to the King if you had no money to buy a gift?"

Ashlyn answered, "I would play 'Silent Night' on the piano for Him."  My son said he would build a box to hold all the gifts brought by the Magi.  My youngest daughter said she would dance.  Hmmm. Now I might have guessed the first two gifts, but the gift from my youngest daughter of dance?  This is not one I would have known.  She is only five and has not yet taken her first ballet class.

This Christmas, I encourage you to seek out what special gifts the Lord has given to you or to your children.  What gifts do you have that you could give without spending any money?  God has given each of us special gifts and talents.  We are to use our special gifts, provided from the Lord to serve others.  Somehow, I have missed this.  With consumerism at a high, maybe our society has missed it.  We don't have to buy things to share gifts.  I hope to teach my children (and learn a few lessons myself) about sharing gifts from the heart that don't cost a thing.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. ~Romans 12:6

Blessings to you as we enter this holiday season!