Janelle Esker What Is The Perfect Christmas Present For Jesus? Every year since we have had children we have individually given a gift to Jesus on his birthday. A Christmas present for Jesus has become one of our most cherished Christmas traditions. Our whole family starts thinking about what we will give Jesus for Christmas weeks before the season officially begins.
How, may you ask do we give our Savior a Christmas present?
Annually, at our family Christmas celebration, before we open any gifts ourselves we each write down on a notecard what we are giving Jesus for his birthday. This is not just a kid thing, my husband and I both participate in the gift-giving. The gifts have varied over the years but usually, have to do with an area of spiritual development we need to improve on. One year my son gave Jesus the gift of stopping the habit of saying the word “stupid”. Other children have given him the gift of consistent prayer life, reading the Bible in a year, modest attire, and the gift of slowing their life down to enjoy God’s presence more. It is a private and reverent activity and we don’t read the cards out loud.
We have a box that is gift wrapped with a bow on top that we put our gift messages to Jesus inside. We still have all the gifts to Jesus inside the same box from 20 years ago!
Here is a picture of the 20-year-old box that holds our annual Christmas gifts to Jesus. A little worse for wear, the gift box has been rewrapped several times. It looks like it may need to be rewrapped again…
Each year as we decorate our freshly cut Christmas tree and bring the boxes of decorations up from the basement, I will find each child (now mostly adult) looking through what they wrote over the years. It is a written testimony to what Jesus has done in their lives and maybe even a reminder of what they need to continue to work on. I have found that private, reflection is a powerful tool that leads to true worship. This is one of the blessings that has come from giving a Christmas gift to Jesus. Making Christ the center of Christmas is a powerful thing!
As we slow down for this “most wonderful time of the year” won’t you join our family in giving Jesus a Christmas gift? I am confident it will bless Him and in return bless your family as well.
YOUR TURN…
What will you give Jesus this year?
Blessings,
What a wonderful idea and tradition!
Thank you!
Oh, I just love this idea!! I am going to have to steal it from you if that is okay? LOVE.
I will give to Jesus more purposeful prayer time. I will edge out specific times in my day for this- more intentionally than before.
O Chris I would LOVE it if you steal this idea! I LOVE your gift to Jesus too! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
This is such a beautiful and meaningful tradition!! I love this tradition that you started over 20 years ago with your family, I would love to do this with my family if it’s alight with you?
I will give Jesus more of my time each day for prayer !
Thank you for sharing this. I really enjoyed reading your post!!!!
Hi Kim,
Thank you for your kind comment! I would just LOVE for you to use this with your family!! I LOVE what you are giving Jesus this year too! Thanks for stopping by and I am wishing you many Christmas blessings!
What a great idea this is, Janelle. How special that you save the cards so everyone can see them years down the road. Wonderful idea. We’ve given gifts to Jesus,just a year or two, but never saved them…
Thanks Betsy for your encouraging comment! Merry Christmas!
This is such an awesome idea!! I love it! (and it’s a great way to keep yourself accountable too)
Thank you Brittany!
I never thought about this, thanks for posting!
You are very welcome, I’m so glad you stopped by The Peaceful Haven!
Thank you so much Janelle, I was searching the web for some ideas to share on how we can give Jesus a gift for Christmas this year and I love your family Christmas tradition, I’m going to start this with my family this year, hopefully, my children can pass it on to their children, I want to do something that would truly bless the Lord’s heart and also help me to grow closer to Him. I hope it’s ok with you that I share this on my Facebook because I know this will bless others. Blessing this Christmas, Donnette
Hi Donnette,
I am so thankful you found the post helpful. It is my favorite Christmas tradition and I still have all the cards from every Christmas! I love your heart’s desire!