Giving - The Best Gift of All

A couple of weeks ago I was talking with Emily about what she might like for Christmas. She thought a minute and named a few things. Then a couple of days ago Emily started to write a Christmas list - I thought she was writing her list to Santa, but she said, "No Mom! This is my Giving List!" She then proceeded to write each person's name and with my help, wrote next to each name what she would like to give them for Christmas. She was so excited about her giving list!!

Then last night Dave & I were asking her if she was going to write a letter to Santa Claus to let him know what she would like for Christmas. She found a stenopad right away and started writing her letter. When she was done, she showed it to me, and I read:

Nothing? I've never known a child to want "nothing" for Christmas! As my eyes were filling with tears, I gave Emily a great big hug and told her how special her letter was. She looked up at me with a sweet, peaceful look, and we shared a tender moment. She is learning at a young age where true joy comes from, which will be a blessing all her life. She is already grasping what took me much longer to learn: that receiving isn't really that important, but the true spirit of Christmas is found in giving, even as Christ gave his life for us. How I love my little girl and all she teaches me.