The first time I heard that little voice singing “Happy Birthday Jesus” on the radio I melted into a puddle.  It was so tender, so sweet, so, well, childlike.  That’s all I can say.

And isn’t it really His birthday?  Really.

Is there a chance we have become sidetracked in our Christmas flurry and forgotten?

An article I read years ago suggested giving a gift to Jesus at Christmas.  Assuredly, it would be difficult, practically impossible, to find something for the One who has everything, the One who is complete in Himself, the self-existent  “I AM.”

How does one gift the original Giver?

Reading in Genesis 12 this morning, the words leap from the page.  “I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing.”

And I see that this is the key.  I have been gifted, graced, showered with blessings in order that I might give grace out of my abundance.

Yesterday, I spent my day getting ready for a Christmas recital with my piano students.  It was a flurry of activity and I was weary at day’s end.  But smiles from parents and grandparents and hugs from students afterwards were reward for my efforts.  This morning, I consider how the gift of music given me has become opportunity for me now to gift others.  And it brings joy.

Because when we give, we are blessed again by the blessing we have received.  Isn’t that God’s economy?  That we can never give it away without more blessing being returned upon us, good measure, pressed down, shaken together?

There are countless ways to do it.  Each person’s uniqueness can be an expression of blessing to another. You can decide what gift to give and doing it in His name, it’s like giving to Him.  And isn’t that just an amazing way to share grace.

Christmas programs with children are something everyone should experience.  This is a precious picture of children in all their child-likeness.  Enjoy their expressions, their wiggles, their singing, their attention, their distraction.  They are being who God made them to be.  Children.  And it is just delightful!