The Ultimate Gift

As a child, Christmas was a magical time filled with new toys, delicious food, and the excitement of gifts. It was one of the few days of the year, besides your birthday, when you could count on receiving presents. What wasn’t there to love about that? Christmas was simple then—fun, carefree, and full of excitement. It is sad that growing up usually means losing that childlike joy and seeing Christmas as a season of stress and tight funds. 

Growing up, I loved gifts. I knew that the meaning of Christmas was the day Jesus was born, however, I knew I would be receiving His birthday presents. I remember waking up at 6 or 7 years old, racing out of my room, eager to see what gifts awaited me. Every year, I received more than enough, but there was always one thing I longed for, a Barbie Dream House. I had enough dolls, clothes, and accessories to supply an army, but my Barbies remained homeless.

Then, one Christmas, as I was about to give up hope, I unwrapped my last gift. Beneath the wrapping paper, I spotted a pink box. My heart jumped, and I ran to my mom, grinning from ear to ear. That moment became the highlight of my childhood, nothing could compare to the joy I felt after waiting years for this gift.

A couple of years ago, it hit me that I might never feel that same level of excitement again. As I’ve reflected on Christmas this year, I’m reminded that the heart of the holiday goes far beyond presents. Making Advent posts on social media has been a way for me to pause and consider the deeper meanings of Christmas— hope, peace, joy, and love. And, as cliché as it may sound, I’ve realized that the greatest gift I’ve ever received was given to me long ago. The book of James reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). As a child, I might have disagreed, but now I understand that the birth of Jesus is far more than just the arrival of a baby, it is the ultimate gift.

This Christmas, I’ve found hope (Isaiah 25:9), knowing that the One Israel waited for came and fulfilled all He promised. That same hope fills me as I look forward to Him returning. I’ve found peace (Isaiah 9:6-7), knowing that the Prince of Peace will reign forever, bringing peace with no end. And I’ve found joy (John 3:16-17), knowing that God’s only Son came to be the ultimate sacrifice for me, and knowing that His Spirit is with us because of that sacrifice. Finally, I’ve been overwhelmed with love (Galatians 4:4-5), knowing that through Jesus’ birth, I’ve been adopted into God’s family. 

If I could be filled with so much joy from receiving a Barbie Dream House, how much greater is the joy I experience now, knowing that my Savior has come once and will come again?

Merry Christmas!

Jayden Smith

One Step at a Time

I used to consider myself a very patient person. I was calm and level-headed 90% of the time, never one to succumb to road rage. I was fine with waiting in long lines or being stuck in traffic—these things didn't faze me. For a while, I wore my patience like a badge of honor. Waiting three hours for a roller coaster? No problem. Sitting in traffic? I was just hanging out. I thought that the Spirit in me was radiating patience, until it felt like it wasn’t.

In April of 2023, I broke my ankle in three places and was told I wouldn’t be able to walk for 10-12 weeks. Inconveniently, in 15 weeks, I was taking kids to camp in Colorado, and in 16 weeks, I was moving to Georgia to work at a camp in the Appalachian Mountains. Suddenly, patience felt like a distant memory. I found myself consumed by frustration, anger, and fear about the future. Verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Isaiah 30:18 seemed to mock me rather than comfort me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says,
"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

And Isaiah 30:18 says,
"Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy,
and is rising up to show you compassion,
for the Lord is a just God.
All who wait patiently for Him are happy."

It was hard to imagine being happy, let alone patient, in the midst of such pain. Being forced to rely on others for everything made it even more difficult to “rejoice always”. But in hindsight, I believe God was trying to slow me down. I had been living at a fast pace, rarely stopping to notice His presence around me. Through this experience, I began to redefine patience. I realized that patience isn’t just about enduring for a few hours or days—it can also mean waiting for months, even seasons, with hope and trust. I learned to be patient with myself, too. I couldn't rush my healing process or force my body to recover faster. I had to wait, to accept where I was in the moment, and trust that God was using this time to shape me.

What once felt like a setback has, in fact, brought me closer to God. Through this journey, I’ve come to understand that patience isn’t just about waiting—it’s about trusting, learning, and growing, even in the hardest moments.

Have a blessed day :)

Jayden Smith