A book give away from guest writer Martin Wiles!
I’m sure many of you have begun your Christmas gift list. Perhaps online shopping has become the best option to compare selections and avoid crowds. Whatever item you choose, and whoever is on your list, gift giving is one of many loved Christmas traditions.
Today I welcome Martin Wiles as my guest writer. Pour a cup of coffee before you settle in to read his poignant story of Christmas gift-giving and then please take time to comment. Scroll down to read about Martin and comment to be entered into his book give away. Either you or someone on your gift list will enjoy it.
Rarely did Santa bring her what she wanted for Christmas.
Mom and her sister grew up as daughters of a dirt-poor farmer who lived in the Low Country of South Carolina. Even in my grandparents’ later years—when they could have lived more comfortably—they didn’t. Never a new vehicle. Never a new tractor or combine. No central air or heat in the home. Not even a window air conditioning unit. Just one lonely gas heater in the kitchen and an even smaller one in the bathroom.
Every Christmas, Mom and her family gathered with other families and converged in a little white Methodist church, nestled on a country road, and awaited Santa’s arrival. The children eagerly waited to sit on his bulging round lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Year after year, Mom’s Christmas wish was the same: a baby doll. All her friends had one. She couldn’t understand why her father couldn’t scrape together enough money to get her one too.
But one Christmas, things changed. When the first rays of daylight peeked through Mom’s bedroom window on Christmas morning, she jumped up and made her way to the Christmas tree. As she reluctantly glanced over the presents, she spotted a box that seemed just the right size for a baby doll.
With her mother’s permission, she tore into the paper and ripped open the box. She could hardly believe what she saw. Santa had granted her wish. A beautiful small baby doll lay quietly in the box. It was all she had ever wanted but never received. She couldn’t wait to play with it. Since Santa had delivered the doll, she could engineer the stroller. And she did. After carefully cutting two holes in the box, she inserted a cord and instantly had a stroller.
Although Mom received only one doll growing up, Daddy and her three sons made sure she had all she wanted later in her life. Daddy began the tradition of giving her a doll for Christmas every year, and the rest of the family followed suit.
Just as one doll baby made a tremendous difference in Mom’s life, so did a real child born almost two thousand years ago. He too brought joy. Shepherds living in the fields, wise men living afar, and people worldwide heard
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6 NLT.
Mom’s young life was changed by one doll, but Jesus’ birth has changed the lives of millions of people and continues to do so. He was God’s ultimate Christmas present to the world who would later give His life to purchase the salvation of that same world.
Never underestimate the potential of even the smallest of gifts. God didn’t.
Did you ever receive a small gift yet you recall its significance to this day?
What is the most memorable Christmas gift you have received?
Comment with an opportunity to receive a copy of Martin’s book .
The first person to comment is guaranteed a complimentary copy of his book A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapes in a Busy World. but in the spirit of generous gift giving, Martin is giving away four other copies to others selected randomly who comment by December 7.. Winners will be announced on my next post.
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood and is the founder of “Love Lines from God”. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, minister, and author who serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions, Senior Editor for Inspire a Fire, and a proof-editor for Courier Publishing. He is the author of six books and has been published in numerous publications. His most recent book is A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapes in a Busy World. Wiles is the pastor of Buffalo Baptist Church in McCormick, SC. His next book, Don’t Just Live…Really Live, is under contract with Ambassador International.
Wonderful reminder of The Gift.
THE gift, yes, as opposed to a gift. Thank you.
Thanks, Louise.
Wonderful story and really true, so proud of you and all your writings.
Thanks, Louise, for stopping by.
Tears were flowing as I read the post. Thank you so much for sharing Mr. Martin’s wonderful words; and thank you for the Advent reading you provided for free on your web site Ms. Marilyn. A double-blessing this morning my friend.
You are so welcome. I loved his story and I hope you will be blessed by Advent readings
Thanks, J.D. for your kind words.
A favorite gift of mine is a wall hanging that says Choose Joy!
Thanks for entering the conversation, Sherry. Yes joy is a choice and can change our outlook. Marilyn
Thanks, Sherry, for your comments.
A favorite gift as a young child was a baby doll. I still have it today. I only let my 3 daughters play with it under supervision. They preferred mine over the ones I got for each of them.
Sheri, that’s wonderful that you still have the doll. I imagine you have many stories to tell about her. Did your friends want yours as your daughters preferred over their own? Marilyn
Marilyn, My friends didn’t get to play with my doll as I grew up on a farm. My sisters were my playmates at that time in my life and they each had their own.
Thanks, Sheri, for sharing your memories.
What a beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing!
I agree–my reaction when I first read it too.
Thanks, Barbara, for your kind comments.
Thank you, Marilyn and Martin for this beautiful story of a much-desired baby doll and the Baby who offers eternal life. My childhood Christmas mornings brought bride dolls—one each year. When I celebrated my first Christmas as a Christian at age 17, I probably didn’t understand the concept of being a part of the bride of Christ, but I do remember the joy.
Thanks, Jeannie, for your kind words and memories.
Your post reminds me of the meager beginnings many of us had so many years ago. Things were simpler in many cases because they had to be, it was all that could be afforded. But living through those times has made most of us stronger and wiser. Just like Jesus, as you pointed out, was a gift to us that on most scales would have been considered meager. But how that meager gift has blessed all who believe that He is the greatest gift of all.
Thanks, Monty, for your comments and kind words.
I never had a doll babygrowing up but mylate husband made sure he made up for it by giving me collectible dolls forall specal occasions.
I love this, Martin. Thanks for sharing, Marilyn. I wonder, today, in an age of plenty, if we appreciate gifts like this little girl did. I wonder, too, in an age of spiritual plenty, if we appreciate the greatest Gift of all. May we be ever grateful for God’s generous gift to us. Merry Christmas to both of you!
So happy your mom got her doll. We too were a poor family, but every Christmas i got a doll of one sort ot another. That made me so happy! My favorite was a doll that “wet” and I could bathe her. Still remember the smell of talcum powder on her rubber skin. Such memories ! Thanks for sharing.
What a sweet story. Thanks for sharing…I love this sentence: Never underestimate the potential of even the smallest of gifts.
Thanks, Jeanne, for stopping by.