The Best Christmas Gift

Christ comes as a gift into your life,

but he doesn’t come

wrapped in shiny paper and ribbons

and you can’t say

“Isn’t that nice,”

as you quickly slide him under the bed

or store him in a dark closet

thinking that someday you’ll find a place to put him.

 

Christ is a gift that you can’t

pack away neatly in a box,

bringing him out for special holidays

like Christmas or Easter.

There isn’t a place in the house

where you can put him and leave him;

this gift is always at your side.

 

The gift of Christ

is one of those noisy Christmas gifts,

whispering in the night,

crying out during the day at unexpected times.

“Do you love me?” he whispers

“Feed my sheep!”  he cries.

 

Where do you put this gift?

In your heart. In your mind. In your soul.

Pretty soon this gift has taken over your life.

“I had no idea how time consuming this gift would be,” you’ll say,

and sometimes you’ll wonder
about the “No return” policy.

 

But mostly, you will fall in love with the gift of Christ.

You will lose yourself in this gift.

You will find yourself in this gift.

About this gift, you will say,

from the deepest part of your soul,

“Thank you…this is just what I always wanted.”

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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  • Worship resources in a Mennonite voice for ears of all kinds

    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

    Feel free to use these orally in a worship service (in-person or broadcasted)  , but if they are printed in a bulletin please use the following credit

    “Copyright Carol Penner  www.leadinginworship.com.”

    Contact me for use in newsletters or printed resources, I am happy to grant permission but I would like to know how my writing is being used.  You can reach me at carol@leadinginworship.com.