by Isadora Pandora

Created on: November 23, 2008   Last Updated: February 04, 2009

I wish I could give you the greatest gift you'll ever receive, but I can't. That gift has already been given, selflessly poured out, to be passed down through the generations by people just like you and me. It is the gift of blood; His holy, life giving blood.

I am reminded of an incident from many years ago. As a child I can remember playing with my pretty plastic horses in our backyard. I was all alone; I suppose I was seven or so; when I looked up; in the clouds I saw a man wearing flowing robes; his arms outstretched as if he was offering me a fatherly embrace. I remember feeling pure love wash over me; just as it does now as I write this. It was that day the Lord gave me the gift of Knowing. There was no doubt left in my little heart; or heart to come; that he was real.

Years before that; I was diagnosed with fatal seizures, the doctors told my mother to "Make preparations"- as another seizure would surely kill me. My mother; like so many others would not listen to a mere mortal man; no, instead she brought me to our church and prayed for the Lord to heal me. It worked; I've had no seizures since. The gift he gave my mother then? Hope.

I am extremely allergic to poison oak; when I touch it; it spreads uncontrollably; no matter what medications we use to try and stop it. When I was a kid I contracted it pretty badly on my knee; in mere hours it had covered my entire knee and was working its way over my leg. Nothing would heal it; we tried everything. When Sunday came, my Grandmother and the congregation prayed over me; the next day- I was completely healed- not even a scar was left behind. The gift we received then? Faith.

The one miracle I will never forget; the gift the Lord blessed me deeply with; my son. When he was born; the placenta was not attached to the umbilical cord properly. It was a true miracle my baby boy survived at all. My doctor didn't know about this while I was pregnant; we only found out after his delivery. The gift I received that day?
Every good thing; beautiful song; happy feelings and faith any one person could ever hope to hold.

The greatest thing about Jesus' gift to you, it knows no season, it will always be there, it is love unconditional, his pain, unconceivable, his gift is all the good things in life. The greatest gift of this season, of everyday, is the life Jesus has so lovingly laid down to save our souls. All the other stuff, its just icing on the cake!

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