Nathan, age 8, was working hard (with a little help from his grandfather) to build a birdhouse for his mother for Christmas. He referred to it as his "secret project." He gave it careful thought and poured all his energy into it. Most important, he was motivated by love.

Before Nathan started, he calculated the number of hours he thought it would take to make it (7 1/2), and he decided what colors it should be painted (yellow with a blue roof). On Christmas morning he insisted that it be the first gift opened, and he beamed when Mom said she really liked it.

Nathan's gift was given in the true spirit of the Gift whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. God the Father, moved by His great love, "gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (Jn. 3:16-17).

Think of the love of the Father that led to the priceless gift of His Son, which was part of His eternal plan (Eph. 1:4-5; 3:11). God's gift of love should fill us with deep gratitude and joy. Let's together proclaim, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15).  — David C. Egner