REGIFTED. NO RECEIPT. NO RETURN.

This year I gave the same Christmas present to everyone.

It’s a gift, wrapped in audio version. I recorded my Christmas wish for over 8 billion people. That 8 billion includes you dear reader. I may have met you by name and know your story. You might be anonymous to me right now, but please anticipate something you cannot regift.

Keep reading and I’ll reveal your surprise at the end. No peeking or scrolling past this back story!

I worked a retail job this holiday season. Long hours with glitter overload, crowded aisles, breakable baubles, and general hype. It was the first time I experienced holiday shopping from an employee perspective.

As a minimalist and someone who needs much space and frequent quiet time, the heightened sparkle left me internally overdrawn. I lacked energy and motivation to find a special present for loved ones before December 25^th.

One evening, I wearily cleaned my heavily shopped department when inspiration got delivered straight to my heart’s doorstep. I thought about people on my shopping list and asked God to send them a Christmas miracle every day for the rest of their life. I asked for a special something that only the recipient could appreciate.

I pictured being an animated elf who simply spoke wishes into existence. The more I visualized loved ones, the more my Christmas spirit elevated. Momentum built and I pictured my audio shopping buggy overflowing with people receiving their daily virtual hug from the North Pole.

My exhausted spirit finally guided me to request, “God, please grant your daily touch to every person on earth. Show everyone a treasure that only they can comprehend. Help them discover your golden packages which don’t include receipts and cannot be returned.”

Friend, I tie this message with a bow and wish you all a good night, wherever you are. Look up and around for your daily miracle to be delivered.

There’s more to come. We continue to shout praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in us, in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling short-changed. Quite the contrary–we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3-5 MSG).

With eternal Christmas love,

Christina

Reader. Your turn! What was the best Christmas gift you received and who gave it to you? What made it special?